[Forecast courtesy of Powderchasers]
7 DAY DEEP POWDER FORECAST- GAME CHANGING POWDER FOR THE NW-DECENT TEASE IN THE NORTH ROCKIES
Light snow is falling over the Cascades (3″ @Crystal) this morning as well as above 8,000 feet in the Sierra On some checks of web cams for Tahoe it appears to be raining at low elevations where weather telemetry shows there may be some light snow at the summits (Mt Rose has chain laws currently and reporting 2-3 inches on the ski report).
Related: 2018 Winter Weather Forecast | Long Range Prediction From NOAA
The next 3 days brings light to moderate teases for the Cascades, Panhandle of Idaho, and Tetons (3-7) with models showing an isolated 5-11 inches for central Idaho by Saturday morning. It’s also possible the upper elevations of Tetons tip 7 inches at my high end forecast through Saturday morning.
I am very bullish for the northern Sawtooth mountains near Stanley! Brundage and Tamarack might score as well. Leftovers will be falling over Sun Valley (It’s wildcard for heavy snow), and make it’s way into the Tetons (Targhee and JHMR) for to end the work week.
Snow intensities may be on the light side but due to the duration of the event (Thursday-Saturday) I would expect decent amounts that will taper by late Saturday morning. “If I were chasing pow mid winter I would head to central Idaho late this week and end up in the Tetons for Saturday morning leftovers.” Its not a major system but enough to get me excited for mid November. Next week all chases are on for the Pacific Northwest as some openings are rumored in Washington this week.
EXTENDED POW – KEEP READING FOR YOUR 1-3 FOOT BUZZ:
Most areas dry out by Saturday (Sun breaks in the Cascades) before significant moisture arrives next week.
System #1 arrives late Saturday night-Monday for the Pacific Northwest. Moderate or heavy snowfall above 4,000 feet will be falling at most ski areas from Baker, Stevens, Crystal, and most of Oregon.Whistler and Interior BC will score moderate snowfall! Colder air arrives Monday and pushes snow levels lower and some moisture pushing into the northern Sierra, panhandle of Idaho, western Montana, and the Tetons (Northern Wasatch wildcard). The heaviest snowfall will be over the Cascades (5-10) followed by light or moderate amounts in the north Sierra, and northern Rockies.
System #2 arrives Tuesday/Wednesday with very heavy snowfall for the Pacific Northwest. Expect 12-18 inches from Tuesday morning through Wednesday night! Interior BC will also score decent amounts. That system takes a similar path pushing moisture perhaps further into the Sierra (Wildcard) with highest confidence for Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. Cold air orographics could spell some surprises in the northern Rockies but it’s too early to land exact amounts. High Confidence is for significant snowfall for the Cascades and interior BC with moderate amounts elsewhere.
System #3 slams into the Pacific Northwest on Thursday next week with strong winds and additional snowfall. It’s too early to predict exact path of that system but it’s likely to take a similar route.
There may be an additional system moving into the Pacific Northwest late next week just in time for the weekend.
My guess is that additional resorts will be opening in the Pacific Northwest and dropping ropes even at Mid or lower mountain slopes by the end of next week!
– POWDERCHASER STEVE – HEAD FORECASTER
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