Report From Powderchasers.com

Its been a wild ride for Powderchaser Steve in the past 3 days.  Thursday brought 8-9 inches to Snowbasin by 9:30 AM (I was in position) followed by an afternoon of heavy snow and wind at Snowbird (5-9 inches).  On Friday I scored 10 inches at Big Sky that fell overnight.  Luckily, I avoided the pitfalls of windblown plus avalanche bomb debris that covered most slopes on Friday morning at Big Sky. The SE facing terrain off the tram (Marx and Lennon) were fantastic with 10-18 inches found in these areas (Tram opened at 11AM).  I somehow managed to miss one of the deepest days of the year at Snowbird on Friday with my chase to Montana. I wish I could simply beam myself from resort to resort and re live the days of Star Trek.

Forecast:

The week ahead looks good for the Sierra with a decent system that begins to impact the northern areas late Sunday (Snowing by last chair Sunday). The northern and central Sierra should see good overnight snowfall into Monday morning (9-12inches) above 7,000 feet.  Lower amounts will be falling at the bases.  The southern Sierra near Mammoth will see decent snowfall late Sunday into Monday (8-11). Snow showers continue on Monday bringing totals even higher by last chair (Additional 2-5). Expect good turns early Monday that may continue throughout the day.

The Good:  Overnight snow

Below: Cali Cali through Monday night (most snow falls late Sunday- Monday morning).

The Cascades continue in a showery pattern with cool temperatures (4,000 foot snow levels) adding some significant snowfall above the bases.  Baker will see an additional 7-10 inches through late Sunday above 4,000 feet. Crystal should add 3-8 from mid mountain and higher through Monday. I would aim for 1st chair Sunday especially in the northern Cascades, however the southern zones may pull off some surprises.   Its been unseasonably cool and wet in the Northwest with very little sunshine in the past 7 days.  The Oregon Cascades will also see snowfall late this weekend with lighter amounts.

Idaho may score some decent snowfall on Monday near Brundage (Closed) as well as Sun Valley (Closed).  Snow extends into Schweitzer through Monday as well (Closed).

Wyoming will land steady light snowfall Monday-Wednesday with up to 5-10 inches through next Wednesday (No single deep event).  I believe Targhee closes during the week and will reopen next weekend.

Utah will nab cold air and a quick blast of 5-9 inches for Tuesday morning.  Colorado gets the leftovers favoring I-70 and north resorts early Tuesday (prior to daybreak) and extending through the day (3-6).

Below: Total snowfall for the west through Tuesday night. Pretty impressive for mid April.

My forecasts may become slightly more spaced (Usually 24 hours or 36).  As conditions change I will make updates.  I may try and extend my posts through the end of April with significant storms only. After all it’s the chase forecast, that primarily is focussed on the best of the best. Thanks for following the chase this season that hopefully landed you some freshies, living vicariously, or just anticipation of powder. 

Powderchaser Steve

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