[Forecast courtesy of Powderchasers]
SUMMARY: 4/18/17 8 AM MST
7-10 Inches fell from the last storm over the Sierra (Mammoth and Heavenly) as moisture focused south of Interstate 80. Snow above 7500 feet is falling this morning with another 2-4 likely through late today. The action picks up in the Wasatch tonight (High elevation cream) and eventually Teton Pass will be creamy by Thursday/Friday. This might be one of my last forecasts of the season and I hope you have reaped the deep this season. Thanks to all of those that lived vicariously or caught me on first chair this season.
SHORT TERM FORECAST:
Snow continues above 7500-8000 feet today in the central Sierra range. While Squaw did not report any new snow, Northstar is reporting 8 inches in the last 48 hours (Sunday night-Monday cream). It will likely be raining at the bases of most resorts around northern California this morning. Moisture ends later Tuesday and returns Wednesday night with a final round that’s colder and weaker. Expect 1-3 inches of better quality snow for Thursday AM (1st chairs) if your desperate for a chase. Spring conditions and a bit of new snow could make for some decent conditions Wednesday. Mammoth has benefited from colder temps so may be a better bet today!
The Wasatch will host one snowfall event that looks promising this week. Snow will hit the peaks of Brighton and Snowbird, where 5-9 inches will fall after the lifts close today. Rain will be falling at the bases while moderate cream will await Wednesday morning. The models show this event to be a quick hitter with decent convection this evening tapering to snow showers after midnight. SW flow (9-10,000 foot snow levels) early turn NW late this evening on the back side of the system. Colder temps will drive snow levels down to mid mountain. Expect 7 inches on Regulator at Snowbird tomorrow morning and perhaps 2-4 mid mountain. The base areas will likely see little to no accumulation. Brighton is also open so the peaks may be a decent option. It won’t be quality but it’s a reminder of what a great winter the Wasatch nabbed this season! I would chase if I were local but don’t be picky on quality! Another light wave of snow (Better quality) hits the Wasatch Thursday (2-4 with lowering snow levels).
The Tetons are buttoned up from a resort perspective. Teton Pass will nab 1-3 inches today and light snow again tonight. A moderate and colder system should deliver 2-5 inches up high Thursday night into Friday. The pass may end up with 5-11 inches up higher hike to elevations through Friday.
Colorado is our wildcard as leftovers spill light snow showers above 9-10,000 feet from Steamboat through Rocky Mountain National Park. Models show better odds of snow at the summit of Steamboat Thursday night. Rocky Mountain National Park should see 2-5 inches (Northern sections) by mid Friday (colder temps and scattered light moisture late week).
Extended Forecast:
Models for next week advertise at continued unsettled pattern for the Northwest. My original comment last week regarding a deeper storm with NW flow and colder temps is still in my wildcard list for mid to late next week. It’s possible that a deeper colder system drops through Montana and into Colorado late next week but’s too far out to predict with confidence. I would expect unsettled conditions for the panhandle of Idaho and Montana to increase by Wednesday/Thursday next week dropping south beyond that time frame.
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