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Finally after a week of warm temperatures, low elevation rain and virtually no new snow in the Rockies a brief return of winter is going to impact the Northwest from Sunday-Wednesday as well as the Sierra by Tuesday. This snow moves into the Wasatch and Tetons by Wednesday/Thursday and into Colorado on Friday. New England is in the spotlight for Tuesday evening and Wednesday!
CASCADES: There are 2 systems to watch! The first comes in late tonight and Sunday primarily affecting areas in the north Cascades (Mount Baker) dumping 6-10 inches from 3PM today through 7AM Sunday. Areas near Stevens Pass should see 3-7, and Crystal in the 2-6 range. Good quality, low density, and even snow likely around the high foothills around Bellingham.
The next and more impressive system slams into the Northwest and BC Tuesday night and Wednesday. That system is likely to bring 8-15 inches to Whistler, Baker, Crystal and Stevens Pass by late Wednesday. Light snow will fall in Northern Idaho and western MontanaWednesday AM and turn heavy by 4PM with the passage of the cold front (Moderate snow continues into Thursday morning).
SIERRA: Light snow turns moderate by late Tuesday and Wednesday for most of the Sierra (Northern areas favored from Kirkwood to Squaw) bringing a quick shot of 7-10 inches to most areas. There is plenty of moisture but with a fast moving system and most of the coldest air to the north amounts will be moderate. Snow levels will be at 6,000 feet on Wednesday when most of the dumpage occurs (Storm ski day).
ROCKIES: The Tetons, Wasatch, and southern Montana will see light to moderate snow Wednesday extending into the 4 corners of the San Juan’s (3-6). A fast moving cold front slams into the Wasatch and Tetons Thursday AM increasing snowfall for several hours bringing an additional 5-9 inches of light density to many areas. The Wasatch might pull off 2 day storm totals in the 9-12 inch range by Thursday morning. The best chance for snow in the central and northern mountains of Colorado will be Thursday afternoon through Friday when a quick 6-9 inches is likely. Amounts could be higher but confidence is low at this point.
NEW ENGLAND: A strong system edges up the coast on Tuesday evening and brings rain/snow mix to most coastal areas and moderate to heavy snow over many areas of Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. The highest snowfall appears to be in Central Vermont and Maine where heavy snow is likely into Wednesday morning.
Long Term: The last week of March looks active for British Columbia (Coastal and inland). There is a hint of several storms moving into the Sierra by the end of the month into the first few days of April.
THE CHASE PICKS OF THE WEEK:
Sunday: Mount Baker
Wednesday: Crystal, Stevens, Alpental, Baker, or BC could be deep. Sierra- storm ski day (Moderate snow),. Central Vermont, Maine (6-12)
Thursday: Wasatch, Tetons or the 4 corners (Wildcard).
Thursday PM/Friday: Northern and Central Colorado
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