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As we have advertised for the past week a wet pattern is setting up for the next several days! The Cascades continue to see warm temperatures and abundant rain showers though Friday. Colder air arrives late Friday into Saturday bringing likely snow to most mountains including Crystal, Stevens, Alpental, Baker. Density will stay high until Saturday morning dropping to 3500 feet. Moisture will be decreasing behind the cold air but expect some medium density POW for Saturday morning. Snow will continue light to moderate throughout the day in the Cascades.
Oregon is in the spotlight for Sunday as cold air and heavy snow likely from Mount Hood to Ashland as the cold air slowly sags south towards the Sierra. Central Idaho, southern and central Montana are all getting spillover snow Sunday/Monday with a cold front just north of Bozeman increasing intensity.
The Wasatch will get a few teasers between Friday and Sunday (3-8 inches). Moderate snowfall is possible Sunday night and again Monday night as the low from California tracks across the 4 corners. Heavy snowfall is likely in the 4 corners from Monday to early Tuesday. Some models are hinting that abundant moisture is still possible in the southern Wasatch late Sunday into Monday but currently not included in the Powder Watch (Will add later).
Colorado reaps the rewards of a cold front, increasing moisture, and very heavy snow possible Monday to Wednesday. A few teaser storms likely this weekend before the main event. The exact track is in question. My suspicion is that the 4 corners will do well Monday night and Tuesday with Monarch, and areas north towards Summit doing better Tuesday and early Wednesday. Current models take the low into the NE corner of Colorado late Tuesday. Eldora, A Basin, Winter Park, Summit could get heavy dumpage with northerly winds. Some models advertise up to 2-3 feet in some locations! Chases likely!
THE CHASE:
Friday PM– Cascades, snowfall increasing, lower snow levels but still dense and smooth.
Saturday: Cascades- Medium density on top of smooth “mank” (Could be good).
Sunday: Mount Hood OR, Ashland OR, – Snowing heavily by late AM (cold air).
Sunday PM– Sierra snowing lightly turning heavier by evening (Good quality but fast mover).
Monday: Tahoe resorts as well as Mammoth as cold front sags south. Montana shows deep moisture in the southern zones from central and East during the day (Big Sky). Wasatch builds pre frontal moisture all day into Tuesday (Moderate amounts likely).
Tuesday: Southern San Juan’s early, Central Colorado late AM, Northern Colorado PM (Front Range, Summit )
Wednesday: Northern Front Range, Winter Park, Fort Collins, NE Colorado (Deep in spots).
The anticipation is often as good as the end results so hopefully your powder dreams stay alive until next week! I am confident!
Powderchaser Steve (PCS)
