Report From Powderchasers
Very active weather set up over many areas of the West in the past 5 days. The coastal and interior Cascades, Northern Idaho, Sierra, southern Colorado and Wasatch were winners. NW flow and lake effect snow pumped significant feathers into a good section of Utah with up to 3-4 feet reported in both Big and Little Cottonwood Canyon (Brighton, Solitude, Alta, Snowbird). Other areas in Utah fared well including Park City resorts who is reporting 30 inches in the past 7 days.
Related: Jackson Hole OPENS This Thursday!
The Tetons nabbed 15-17 inches Sunday night and are opening today (Targhee and JHMR). THE GRAND WINNER of all places was Eagle Point Ski area located south/central Utah (3.5 hours from Vegas or Salt lake) reporting 55 inches in 2 days. They are not open (Is anyone there skinning) and from my analysis are leading the State of Utah in total snowfall this season with 83 inches (Base is at 9,000 feet with 1500 vertical). You may not be moving fast if you’re in the deep but at least it’s powder.
I hoisted EPIC alerts for many areas where Powderchaser Steve chased to Wolf Creek on Sunday (Good 12-14 inches, decent amount open- Low tide up top) and then up to the Wasatch on Monday/Tuesday. I hit Brighton resort early Tuesday where significant snow fell on Monday. One of my forecasters, Luke Stone was at Mammoth where they scored 16-30 inches. Unfortunately for him he is out for 2-3 months with a fractured femur a we all wish him a speedy recovery.
Chase Times:
This week will feature very cold temperatures for the west and moderate snow for the Cascades and northern Idaho in the short term. The Rockies will see light snow from Montana, southern Idaho, Wyoming, Utah and northern Colorado this week (several waves of light events). The highest amounts will be found in the Oregon Cascades today (5-9) followed by the WA Cascades (3-7) through Thursday. “Moisture increases on Friday in the Cascades (Moderate snow, cold temps) that takes aim at central and northern Idaho, southern Montana and the Tetons (Saturday-Monday).” The Wasatch is a wildcard with most moisture up north until a stronger system pushes in next week (Keep reading) also impacting most of Colorado.
Today: “A Deep and arctic cold front (Coldest air of the season) will slam into the Pacific Northwest late this weekend!” Moderate snow is likely again over the Cascades Saturday night/Sunday (Perhaps heavy) that sweeps another blast of moisture and arctic air into the Rockies late Sunday-Tuesday. We think the City of Seattle may see it’s first flakes for the season! “Snow will redevelop in the northern Rockies Monday with a good chance of a decent dump for ID, WY, UT, MT.” That swings into Colorado late Monday or Tuesday with decent cold air orographics (Not moist but cold NW and North flow should bring good snow chances to many resorts Statewide). This will drop into northern New Mexico on Tuesday with Taos hopefully in the mix?
Powder Alerts will likely be needed in many areas perhaps late this weekend in the Cascades or Tetons. Alerts are likely early next week with the arctic air (Storm #2) and good NW and Northerly flow. Models this far out will change so early speculation is at its best (Start your chase plans).
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