6 Day Powder Forecast Looks Good For The West [Powderchasers]

[Forecast courtesy of Powderchasers]

Summary 2/20/17 PM REPORT

Very active chase week! I hit 3 states in 3 days (Crystal, Snowbird, Vail) all with fantastic conditions. The Bird had 20 inches of blower pow yesterday but really needs another 2 feet of cement to cover up some bones at the upper elevations. In the past week I believe I may have logged over 70 inches of powder. The week ahead brings a tease to Oregon tonight, some good potential for the San Juans Thursday. That all pushes into the northern Rockies for the weekend. Late this weekend into early next week may see an EPIC ALERT for the Cascades.

*Here is a picture form Powderchaser Steve yesterday at the town of Alta.*

Short Term Forecast:

Moderate snow will be falling in the Oregon Cascades today. A system will drop south into the Sierra Wednesday night into Thursday with light or moderate snow possible through the evening. Expect 4-8 inches along I-80 and north and perhaps similar or slightly less amounts further south.

That system moves into Colorado late Wednesday night into Thursday. Models show a bullseye over Wolf Creek (*12 inches or more likely) slightly migrating north into Purgatory, Silverton with Telluride wildcards (SW flow not ideal for Telluride but moisture may overrun topography). Similar to the last storm in Colorado, winds shift late Thursday from the SW to WNW putting down moderate amounts from Crested Butte to Aspen (3-7 or more) late Thursday morning or evening. The leftovers push over I-70 late Thursday or Friday morning (3-6). Expect a freshening in many areas but it’s not a major snow producer north of the San Juan Range. Chase from the south to north in Colorado Thursday.

Some spots in Arizona and New Mexico may also see snow this week.

Extended Forecast:

Moderate moisture comes into the Pacific Northwest favoring the southern Cascades of WA, Northern areas of Oregon Friday/Saturday. That system has good NW and West wind direction and cold temperatures. That system takes a northerly track providing good chances of moderate snow for most of Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and the Wasatch for the weekend. Westerly flow may put down moderate amounts for most mountain ranges including Brundage. Unlike the previous storm, I think western Idaho will do better than the Panhandle. The Tetons and northern Utah should all benefit by Saturday/Sunday (Moderate amounts likely, possible upgrade later due to cold temps and good snow ratios). Areas north including Idaho and Wyoming may see the highest amounts?

The Sunday/Monday period for the Cascades looks very wet with a chance of 1-2 feet during the period. That may take a southerly route and land some decent snow for the Sierra before moving west over Utah. It’s too far out to predict with confidence. The trend is no high pressure in the next few weeks with a good chance of more snow dropping into the Sierra for the extended forecast.

Total snowfall through Monday morning. Amounts may be greater due to colder temps and better snow ratios so add 25-30% to these numbers. I am not able to share the Euro on this post that would depict higher ratios on the maps. | Image: WXBell

Announcements:

Thanks to Mountain Wave Snowboards in Breckenridge Colorado who salvaged my Never Summer Snowboard today (Rode without top straps- Front foot). Riding with toe only on the front foot was not easy but it was between staring at 7-8 inches of pow on the back bowls of Vail (Noticed it when I hit the summit) or descending to the base village. John who managers the shop is one of the best I have worked with in my 35 years of snowboarding. Incidentally, the snowboard business if up this season and the Olympic Golds will certainly help!

*Please consider feeding our powder bank! As part of the $50 donation/sock program you get custom forecasts for the season (Reach out to info@powderchasers.com or send us a message on FB).

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