[Forecast courtesy of Powderchasers]
MID WINTER PATTERN WILL BRING THE WHITE ROOM BACK TO THE CASCADES AND ALL OF THE NORTHERN AND CENTRAL ROCKIES OVER THE NEXT 7 DAYS
Snow showers are continuing in Colorado this morning while Utah digs out from the perfect 3 foot dump that left huge faceshots from Powder Mountain, Snowbasin, Park City, Solitude, Alta and nearly every resort in the northern regions of the State. Colorado squeaked out a foot in the favored locations we forecasted (Steamboat) and did well near Aspen. The Telluride 10 inches was a surprise! The week ahead features a winter like pattern Northwest Flow that will bring steady light or moderate snow to the Pacific Northwest, Interior Panhandle of Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado. The Sierra gets teased on Sunday but most of the future action is going to focus on the north next week. Colorado might end up reaping decent rewards Monday night/Tuesday. New Mexico is also in the spotlight.
FORECAST:
Very cold air is in place over the Pacific Northwest with snow likely in the foothills outside Seattle beginning Saturday night. A moderate swath of moisture will push over the Washington Cascades (Stevens, Alpental, I-90 Corridor, Crystal are favored) and push through Oregon and the Sierra Sunday/Monday. Expect the best chase in the Washington Cascades during the day Sunday (Storm ski 5-10 inches of blower pow) through Monday morning (Additional 2-5). Storm totals (7-15).
The Sierra gets its tease on Sunday night into Monday (1st chair Monday) with 4-9 inches above 7,000 feet (Pretty meager when compared to the 5-7 feet they nabbed last week). Winds will be strong so some lift delays are possible Monday morning but your odds of upper mountain are decent later in the day. This is a more manageable system!
Related
The Northern Rockies finally stay in a cold pattern with a persistent fetch of split flow (NW flow up north and SW flow in the south). Snow from the PNW and cold air will swing through most of northern and central Idaho, Montana early Sunday (Wide area of 4-9 inches) and reach the Tetons late. Moderate snowfall will be falling Sunday night/Monday over Grand Targhee and Jackson (Targhee is favored in this flow). Expect 5-10 inches by last chair Monday! Light or moderate snow will continue under westerly or southwest flow into Wednesday (No overnight single deep dump but light refreshening every 6 hours). Total snowfall over the Tetons may exceed 15-17 inches by Wednesday with Monday being the deepest.
The Wasatch grabs a tease of moderate snow early Monday morning that lasts through the day (Sharp cold front and convective snow bands). I suspect the storm skiing Monday in northern Utah will be decent but amounts might not tip the scales beyond 6-10 inches. Mid or late day chairs on Monday might offer the best chase. Light snow will continue in Utah into Tuesday that will keep things fresh!
I am bullish for Colorado Monday afternoon into Wednesday. Moisture and cold air from the Tetons will focus on all mountain ranges of Colorado. NW flow will bring decent snowfall to the northern Mountains (Steamboat, I-70 corridor) while SW flow will focus in the 4 corners. My best guess at this point is 7-12 inches for Steamboat, 6-10 for the I-70 corridor (Higher amounts over Vail Pass), and 8-15 over the central and southern mountains (Aspen, Monarch, Crested Butte, Wolf Creek,Telluride). NW flow early Tuesday favors New Mexico (Taos does well in this pattern) and will result in a moderate dump for last chair Tuesday and first chair Wednesday.
EXTENDED FORECAST:
Light to moderate snow is going to work it’s way back into the Cascades by mid-week (Slight warming but near normal) Persistent snowfall will add up in many areas of the Pacific Northwest, BC, Northern Idaho and Montana. Light snow will continue over the Tetons. Chases might be possible but hard to nail down any single deep dump.
A more significant storm and colder air will filter into the Pacific Northwest by Friday. Heavy snow is likely from Whistler through the entire northern Cascade region. Heavy snow may work into Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming by next weekend. Models this far out are going to change! Right now it looks like the northern Rockies could score big time! Lets hope!
If you’re addicted to powder and reading this forecast, please consider a donation to Powderchasers!
For all donations of $50 or more you earn powder turns with Powderchasers, custom forecasts, and a swag Phunkshun Wear Balaclava! There is a new Balaclava that is in production so please be patient as it’s due to us in the next 2-3 weeks. 10% gets donated to avalanche forecast centers in the West. New Balaclavas are in and will be shipping this week for those that have been waiting!
Donate here: Powderchasers Fund