Our friends over at Powderchasers are forecasting a “MAJOR” snow storm to sweep across the west over the next few days.
Here are expected storm totals through Friday:
- North Cascades: 2-6 with higher amounts at a few summits favoring Mt Baker.
- Southern Cascades (Oregon): 8-12” favoring areas near Bachelor or south.
- Sierra Nevada: 6-12” favoring the northern Tahoe Basin, with less further south.
- Wasatch: 6-12” – Southern Ut scores well (Brian Head) with less further north except some surprise totals in the Cottonwoods.
- Colorado: 15-25” for the San Juans, 5-10” for mountains further north along I-70. Look for updates midweek.
Keep reading for the full report from Powderchasers.com
POWDER ALERT – WESTERN US TO RECIEVE MAJOR SNOW THIS WEEK
10/31/2022
Moisture arrived in Washington on Sunday morning (Rain at most ski areas) and will gradually work further south throughout Monday and Tuesday. In Washington, precipitation rates will peak on Monday morning, with hourly snowfall rates picking up as cooler temps move into the PNW. Snow showers will continue Monday night albeit light.
Overnight between Monday and Tuesday, this storm’s temperatures will drop considerably and allow the plume of moisture to begin dropping snow much lower. By Tuesday morning, much of Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and northern California will be seeing snow and mixed precipitation:
As the storm works further south, precipitation will reach the Tahoe region mid-morning on Tuesday. The precipitation will initially be mostly rain and mixed precipitation, but temperatures will drop rapidly in the afternoon and evening, allowing snowfall all the way down to lake level.
In the early hours of Wednesday morning, the first precipitation will arrive in northern Utah and the Teton Range of Wyoming. Shortly after, mid-morning on Wednesday will see the first flakes beginning to fall in Colorado, starting in the San Juan range and expanding northward throughout the day. Storminess will continue to linger in California, Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado through Friday.
Save for a few lingering showers in Colorado, the storm will be mostly wrapped up by Friday night. By the time things are said and done, here are what we see as realistic totals around the region:
- North Cascades: 2-6 with higher amounts at a few summits favoring Mt Baker.
- Southern Cascades (Oregon): 8-12” favoring areas near Bachelor or south.
- Sierra Nevada: 6-12” favoring the northern Tahoe Basin, with less further south.
- Wasatch: 6-12” – Southern Ut scores well (Brian Head) with less further north except some surprise totals in the Cottonwoods.
- Colorado: 15-25” for the San Juans, 5-10” for mountains further north along I-70. Look for updates midweek.
Just as things are wrapping up with the first storm, a second storm will begin overnight between Thursday and Friday in the Pacific Northwest. Forecasting specifics for a storm this far out is futile, but things are looking promising for the next storm to be even colder and bring lower snow levels. This pattern spells deep powder for the Cascades, Montana, Wyoming, and northern Colorado. It’s unclear whether this system will dig far enough south to bring significant precipitation to California, Utah, and southern Colorado.
Take a look at the 850mb temperature anomalies from the GEFS for the first storm Thursday to Friday this week.
Now, take a look at the same chart for the second storm. The second storm features remarkably cold air in the northern US and could mean deep pow for that region… Map is for November 7-8
The second storm has the potential to deliver big for the northern US and Canada… stay tuned for another Powderchasers forecast next week with updated specifics! Next week especially by November 7th could bring some significant powder to many areas likely favoring the northern tier of the Rockies and most of BC and Alberta. Very cold air is likely with this event.
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Powderchasers will be at Shredfest this weekend (Saturday and Sunday) in Salt Lake City. This is a great event with ski movies, Rail Jams (Real snow) and filled with stoke. There are many vendors, volunteers involved. Powderchasers will be hosting a dog competition (Obstacle course) as well as best dressed dog awards. We will be providing swag for your canines. Please visit our booth with or without your pups to meet our team. Here is a picture or our mascot Noodle that loves snow and is looking forward to this event.
Powderchasers Team
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