Significant Snowfall Possible For The Rockies Next Week

From wildfires to snowfall! It’s going to be in the mid 90’s in many spots this weekend with snow falling by early next week, especially in central Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado. Much colder temps with a strong cold front will drop through northern Montana as early as Monday afternoon That front will settle over the rest of the intermountain west primarily on Tuesday. The models are in disagreement with amounts so confidence for who sees the highest totals will have to wait until we get closer. The GFS and Canadian favor an easterly track impacting central Montana, Glacier National Park, Red Lodge, before slamming into the Front Range of Colorado by Tuesday morning. On the other hand the European Model for the past few days has been closing the low further west with significantly higher amounts, especially for a broader area of Colorado and northern New Mexico (Taos). If you want to believe the European Model some areas of Colorado could see 8-13 inches above 7,000 feet. Areas further west including the mountains of northern Utah and Western Wyoming (Tetons) are likely to see much less. Big Sky is favored for light to moderate amounts with Red Lodge Mountain likely to see higher amounts (North, NE winds). That system takes aim at the Front Range of Colorado late Monday night into Tuesday. Bottom Line: Model disagreement on amounts with the GFS pushing moisture further East (Front Range and Plains) and the Euro further West.

Below: The GFS shows moderate snow for the eastern ContinentalDivide of Montana with heavier amounts likely for the northern Front Range of Colorado (5-10) The EURO (Not shown) is much more bullish with up to 12-15 inches in some areas (There is much discrepancy currently being 6-7 days out).

Below:  Temperatures will fall rapidly early next week with a strong cold front. These temps are at 10K (Celsious) with snow levels likely dropping as low as 6500 feet by Monday/Tuesday.

Below:  Northerly winds, cold temps and moisture edging into Montana, especially the Eastern Continental Divide by Monday morning.

Below: Moisture is falling on Tuesday morning primarily over Colorado favoring the Front Range and Continental Divide.

The Good: Moisture, cooler temps likely to dampen the wildfires in many areas. The Bad: It’s possible that the bulk of precipitation favors the eastern flanks of the mountains with western areas seeing much lighter or insignificant amounts.

Concierge Program- Early Season rates!

For any of your looking to chase powder this winter, especially with fewer trips planned Powderchasers is continuing with custom forecast planning with our Concierge Program.  Those rates are going up on October 15th (25% increase). Sign up now for the extended price from last season. We are also looking for some sponsors for the webpage if you are interested in looking at our media kit. Send us an email.

While it’s exciting to forecast snow at this time of year, the biggest benefit is a reprieve from the heat, and hopefully some mitigation of the wildfires. Enjoy the powder everyone!

Powderchaser Steve