Significant snowfall is falling in the Sierra with 24 inches overnight at Mt Shasta. 16 inches are noted on telemetry just 1K above the base area at Mammoth (Higher totals up top). SugarBowl has scored nearly a foot. Moisture will continue on Thursday favoring the Southern Sierra with cooler temps (Quality powder on top of the denser layers). Both Thursday and Friday will offer chases with new openings likely in the latter period.
Below Mount Shasta is very deep on Thursday morning.
Below: Mammoth telemetry showing 16 inches early Thursday and still snowing at 9K. Higher totals will come in up top.
The system in the Sierra will push into south/central Idaho favoring the Wood River Valley (Sun Valley). 5-10 inches can be expected by Friday. Unfortunately, less snow is noted further east in the Tetons or Montana.
Chases? Sierra Thursday/Friday. Sun Valley perhaps for Friday or chase into the 4 corners or Wasatch below.
Utah/Colorado
The bulk of moisture lands in the southern mountains of Utah and Colorado Friday with southerly winds. This should favor Brian Head (9-15) and areas north of Durango in Colorado. The Wolf might come up with 6-12 with areas north of Durango closer to 9-15. This system is warm and will likely provide dense snow initially with colder temps noted in the San Juan Range by Friday morning. Storm ski Friday and head north for Saturday.
While the southern mountains are the focus on Friday, enough moisture streams north into the Wasatch for 6-9 inches of storm skiing above 7,000 feet. The Cottonwoods are favored, however southerly wind might be better for BCC versus LCC or even the summit of Sundance or Deer Valley.
Nevertheless, you will have to ride the higher elevations to get some surfy snow initially Friday followed by medium density by midday. Cooler temps later Friday to Saturday under NW flow will kick off another 3-7 inches for most of Northern Utah, especially the Canyons side of PCMR, and the Cottonwoods (LCC favored). Both Friday and Saturday should offer some fun turns with better quality on Saturday albeit lighter totals. Storm totals are decent at 9-16 inches however split amidst 2 days (Thursday night to Saturday).
In Colorado, the action in the south shifts north late Friday night or early Saturday morning with moderate totals for 1st chairs along the I-70 corridor. Peak snowfall will likely be from daybreak too early PM Saturday. NW flow will favor spots from Aspen north, along I-70 to Vail Pass. Areas east to Summit County should also fare well. The Divide resorts might come up with slightly lower totals. We suspect totals by end of day Saturday to be in the 6-12 inch range for many locations. Snow showers will continue Saturday night providing a slight refresh for Sunday morning (Colder) and additional snowfall (Light to moderate). Some areas might exceed 15 inches with enhanced cells that are hard for us to nail down.
The next AR arrives in CA later this weekend and should take a similar track as the last one. Yet, another AR event is in the models for later next week that appears to take a more southerly track. Its too far out to predict with confidence. The stormy pattern will continue next week and updates will be issued.’
Below: AR #2 entering CA late this weekend and taking a similar track. Perhaps it pushes a bit further north into the Tetons and Montana.
Below: AR #3 towards the end of next week might dig a bit further south (TBD)
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Enjoy the powder, everyone! Remember, your deepest resort is not always the best chase. See you in the first chair somewhere on Monday.
Enjoy the powder, everyone!
Powderchaser Steve @powderchasersteve on Instagram