Powder Alert: 2-4 Additional Feet of Snow For the Sierra, San Juans and Wasatch

Report From Powderchasers.com

2019-11-28

SUMMARY:

Its 5 AM and snowing heavily in Northern Utah with light to moderate snow still occurring over southern Colorado this morning, Heavy snow is falling with lake effect bands in some metro areas around Tahoe after 2-3 feet fell yesterday. An additional 30-50 inches are likely for the Sierra, 2 feet for the 4 corners and 2-3 feet in the Wasatch. This is a powder chasers dream if only everything was open huh! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Here are some snow totals that I have been able to come up with thus far from both ski reports and automated data as of 5 AM on Turkey Day. Its only getting started in the Rockies and Sierra with much snow on the way in the 2-4 day period. Snow totals are much in line with my forecast with the southern Sierra seeing the highest amounts near Mammoth and Snowbasin ramping up the highest totals in the Wasatch (SW flow).

1) Mammoth Mountain – Reported 25-27 inches new on Wednesday morning (Still snowing lightly)

2) Squaw Valley- Reported 18 inches (Verified by snow telemetry) mid-mountain on Wednesday.

3) Snowbasin 22-26 inches in looking at totals on the snow cam (Highlighted yesterday with SW flow)

4) Snowbird- 15-16 inches

5) Park City- 4-8 inches per snow telemetry.

The Bottom Line:

Southerly flow will continue to pump moisture from Arizona into Utah and Colorado peaking Friday afternoon to Saturday. SW flow will continue to favor the northern Wasatch (Snowbasin), Perhaps the Uinta range for Utah (Largest totals). Little and Big Cottonwood Canyon are performing well with steady light to moderate snow (ranges are in the 14-16 inch totals this morning in both Canyons). Another 15-25 inches should fall in many areas of Utah through Saturday afternoon. Winds veer more westerly late Friday night so the Cottonwoods, and even Park City may start to see greater than 1-2 inches per hour at times. Lake effect enhancement is possible. Peak snowfall will be late Friday night into Saturday (DEEP).

Below: Snowbasin Snow camera (Overnight snow on top of 13 inches from yesterday). We highlighted Snowbasin and the northern Wasatch on yesterdays forecast!

If you are chasing to Arizona (Snowbowl near Flagstaff) you can expect snow to increase by afternoon on Turkey Day. Heavy snow with strong winds will fall Thursday night into Saturday (30-40 inches). The Good: Tons of snow on top of a decent base! The Bad: Strong winds and snow intensity may keep some lifts or terrain closed. Peak snowfall will be late Thursday night to Friday afternoon.

In Colorado, the best chases will be found in the San Juan Range. Automated data on Wolf Creek Pass looks like 5-6 inches fell last night with light snow continuing on Turkey Day. Snow will increase Thursday night into Friday with another 15-20 inches likely for opening lifts on Friday. Purgatory and Silverton may have similar amounts but likely on the lower side. The models for Telluride are showing 12-15 inches. Additional snow will fall on Friday in all of the San Juan Range (2-3 feet totals). Winds will veer a bit more westerly on Friday pushing some moderate snow north into most of central and northern Colorado. Peak snowfall for these areas will be Friday late AM to Saturday morning. Expect 4-8 inches along the I-70 corridor with perhaps higher amounts further west (Aspen). Crested Butte is likely to see higher amounts.

Below: Ending Saturday morning- Significant accumulations in the San Juan Range of Colorado (Taos looking good also) Moderate snow increases for most of central and northern Colorado Friday-Saturday. Chase south for Friday (Deep) in Colorado and head north PM or Saturday (Moderate amounts). Taos will see the highest totals Friday (Storm Ski) or early Saturday.

The Tetons are on the far north side of the moisture tap. Snow will increase Friday and Saturday with 4-9 inches of snow likely (Peak snowfall Friday afternoon to Saturday). Another system moves into the Tetons on the extended forecast

New Mexico sees a solid foot or more Friday afternoon to Saturday (Taos).

GAME-CHANGING WEEK FOR MANY AREAS OF THE WEST! LOOK FOR LOTS OF NEW OPENINGS! THE SIERRA JUST CAME BACK FROM THE DEAD! WE ALWAYS HAVE SAID THAT JUST A FEW DEEP STORMS ARE GAME-CHANGING.

EXTENDED

The Sierra is going to nab another 2-4 feet of snow late this weekend into Monday. Peak snowfall Saturday night into Sunday. Snow showers continue into Monday. This will bring another 30 inches plus of snow to most areas. Warmer temps will push snow levels higher so density will be higher. This will provide great base-building snow at all elevations.

Below: Significant snowfall returns to the Sierra Saturday PM to Monday! 2-4 feet possible

The Tetons see an increase of snow Sunday Night/Monday (Moderate) as some pieces of energy break off the Sierra system (Northerly Track).

Light or moderate snow is possible in most of Colorado as fast-moving pieces of energy pull through on Tuesday (4 corners may be favored but most of the energy will also pull north).

Another decent size trough is likely to enter the Pacific Northwest or Sierra late next week! This will become something to watch for the Rockies late next weekend.

Below: Ensembles for December 8th (Next weekend) show a good chance of another deep trough to enter the west.