[Forecast courtesy of Powderchasers]
Summary
I mentioned a very stormy pattern is setting up for the later part of April a few weeks ago. Models continue to verify that winter is set to return to the northern Rockies and winter weather will impact all of the mountain regions from the southern regions of the Cascades through most of the northern Rockies next week!
While no single storm looks to tip my scales for an epic alert, I would certainly say that the combined totals in many spots of the Rockies or highest elevations or the southern Cascades (*Oregon favored) will see 2-3 feet by late next week. Snow levels will be very low for this time of year and it may even be snowing in the Valley around Salt Lake by Thursday or Friday! Ironically, most of the season has dominated by SW flow (Warmer temperatures and storms slamming the Sierra and working into the central Rockies). The pattern next week is “classic winter” with NW and Westerly flow that pumps moisture off the pacific, cooler temperatures and impacts a wide area of the Rockies. I feel like some of you reading this post will think I am pulling another “April Fools Joke” but its really happening! While no single event may be deeper than 7-10 inches the sum totals will be measured in feet next week. There will be some lulls in the action between waves. Late week is colder and perhaps deeper than early week? The deepest snow will fall in the Rockies and PNW early this week followed by Thursday AM, and again late in the week (Colorado favored Friday-Saturday).
Short Term Forecast:
Light snow will begin falling over the southern Cascades and rockies Sunday night/Monday (The tease not worth chasing). Moderate to heavy snow will be cranking over Oregon near Mount Hood Sunday night into Monday as winds shift to the west and deliver 6-12 inches by your last chair. Mt Bachelor will also reap rewards for Monday POW. Snow will push into the southern and central Washington Cascades with light or moderate amounts from Stevens Pass south into Crystal (*Crystal closes today and Stevens is closed during the week).
The leftovers aim towards the Northern Rockies with decent moisture from central Idaho, Northern Wasatch (Heaviest on the Idaho border), Central Wasatch (Snowbird), followed by the Tetons Monday night/Tuesday. “It’s going to be steady light or moderate snow that persists through last chair Tuesday.” Moderate amounts Tuesday morning will be found at the upper reaches of the Tetons and Wasatch (3-7) with another light or moderate dump during the day. Mid or late day riding Tuesday may offer double digits (Storm total) for last hike or chair especially Tetons and central Wasatch. Southern Montana and central Idaho are also in the mix (Moderate amounts). Colorado grabs action Monday night into Tuesday with a wide area of 2-4 inches for 1st chair Tuesday followed by another 2-4 inches during the day. Higher amounts will be found in isolated areas of Colorado by late Tuesday (5-10) but it’s hard to nail down currently. Snow will be falling as far south as the northern San Juans.
Mid week- 2nd storm
The PNW stays wet (Oregon snow likely) with some push into the the Washington Cascades mid week. Colder air keeps snow levels to unseasonable levels mid week. A 2nd push of moderate moisture will aim itself over the Wasatch and Tetons Wednesday morning through Thursday. Expect light or moderate snow early Wednesday followed by “It’s boot high” perhaps late in the day. Thursday delivers another freshening for 1st chair being a good pick. That also filters over Colorado especially Thursday (Moderate snow).
Extended Forecast:
Light to moderate moisture continue in the Rockies late Thursday/Friday (Decreasing over the Tetons and Wasatch but colder air keep snow showers falling). The PNW starts to clear out! Models are hinting that SW flow takes hold by Friday or Saturday pumping significant moisture from northern New Mexico into most of central and northeastern Colorado by next weekend! Significant snow may fall over higher mountain ranges of Colorado by Saturday! SW flow turns Northerly late in the period pumping moisture over the front range next weekend. This could develop into a significant late spring (It’s nearly summer) storm!
-Powderchaser Steve
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