As we mentioned yesterday a split flow developed over Colorado with the highest moisture taking over the SW mountains and areas of the northern border near Wyoming and the Uintas..  The Uinta mountains are most likely up to to 2 feet or more.  Unfortunately it left Colorado’s ski resorts sitting in the middle with up to 5 inches in the Aspen area, and a disappointing 3 inches at Eldora.  It is still snowing up at Loveland Pass and I suspect light snow near Nederland.   I expect snow to fill in again by Noon with wind shifts to the North and impacting the Front Range and Summit County into the evening. Winds shift to the NW for several hours this afternoon so snow will also be filling in around Vail.  PM today or Wednesday morning still have some hope.   Don’t expect huge amounts (3-7 into Wednesday morning).   Not a bust y but certainly disappointing overnight!   MY guess is that areas in the San Juna’s near Silverton and Telluride had well over a foot.

Utah logged very heavy snow in the Park City area (17 inches as of 5AM) and up to a foot in the Cottonwoods (Snowbird, Alta, Brighton, Solitude).   Park City reaped the benefits of Southerly flow yesterday and Easterly flow last night spilling over from the NE corner (Uintas).    Reports from yesterday is that the mountain is empty and freshies were abundant (Another 7 last night).

Powderchaser Steve

5 Day moisture totals- Heavy Rain noted for the NW (Snow later in the weekend) and about .75 inches of moisture for the Rockies through Sunday (7-8 inches of snow)

Breckenridge Ski Area delivered with 8-9 inches  of “blower” this morning.  Rain in Denver, wet snow at lower elevations and surprisingly dry snow on top gave me a long needed morning of Faceshots before the sun bake set in. You can thank the nearly 13,000 foot summit elevation that Breckenridge offers and remember that spring skiing can at some locations feel like mid winter if you hit it early.      The West is under very warm air currently, sunny skies, and migrates to a more active pattern beginning in the Sierra late Thursday with light snow.  The models have backed off on moisture totals (3-6).  The Sierra once again suffers a teaser storm.

Rain and very high elevation snow will nag the Cascades Thursday-Saturday (Some heavy rain at the bases near Baker), and turn colder and snowier by Saturday/Sunday.  A cold front quickly moves through Saturday morning bringing a chance for moderate snow to the Cascades and Idaho for the weekend. Northern CA/and Oregon will do well this event.  A wet pattern continues over the Cascades next week with warmer temps and showers likely (High elevation snow).

The Wasatch and Tetons will see several waves of light snow beginning Thursday night through the weekend (Slightly stronger on Saturday) with fairly mild temperatures.   A stronger system will move in Sunday/Monday bringing cooler temperatures and a good chance of moderate snow.  The models show some discrepancy with hint that moisture might favor the southern sections of Utah.  The cold air gets hung up on the Wyoming/Montana border so Sunday/Monday may show some decent powder in the Tetons and Bozeman area. Too early to predict for the Wasatch but hopeful!

Colorado shows the most hope for deep snow on Monday night/Tuesday/and Wednesday as a well defined cold front in Wyoming drops into the northern mountains and front range.  The coldest air stays to the north so expect heavy density snow early with a trend towards medium density by late Tuesday.   Summit county might reap the rewards again?  Powder Watch will likely be issued for many mountains from I-70 North in Colorado next week especially Tuesday/Wednesday.

Keep winter alive!

Powderchaser Steve (PCS).

Today’s shot from Matt Baydala who was with Park City Powder Cats getting the goodies. Photo Credit -Bekah Stevens

It is this time of year when powderhounds go into momentary mood swings, warm temps, wet snow, rain at the bases, but rest assured winter always returns at some point in April and often in early May for surprise dumps and brief cold snaps.

This week will not bring euphoria as warm temps, showers, light snow at higher elevations and clouds, may put you on your bikes for the next 7 days.   Is there light for powder at the end of the tunnel?  keep reading:

Models are often changing especially 7 days out.  I will say that moisture begins to return moderately in the Sierra with high snow levels by Saturday.   Some snow will likely fall at the highest elevations into Sunday with the southern mountains around Mammoth and big Bear being favored (Wet snow).   Low pressure froms over southern California moving over northern Utah and southern Idaho by Monday next week. The models are trending increasing moisture in the Rockies by next Tuesday and Wednesday.  Now for the good news!

We want cold air!  The models show a cold front dropping into the Rockies by the middle of next week. This should impact Montana, Wyoming, and areas of Utah and Colorado especially next Thursday and Friday.   Hopefully the models will hold true!  Looking out 12 days, there might be a cold dump in the Cascades by April 7th.

Keep your powder dreams alive, work hard, play hard, and why not grab the bike this week and the boards by next!

Powderchaser Steve (PCS).

Snow continues to fall over areas of northern Colorado impacted by NW Flow such as Vail, Aspen and perhaps Steamboat.  Today’s winners in Colorado were Eldora near Boulder where 8-10 fell by 11 AM.    Areas near Breckenridge also did well with Vail catching up fast (light to moderate snow showers). Tomorrow might be good for leftovers and 3-5 new overnight at Vail.

The Wasatch and Tetons did very well over the past 48 hours with up to 21 inches at Grand Targhee, 18 at Jackson and the southern Wasatch of Utah.

The long term outlook looks relatively quiet for the upcoming week.  Light moisture will continue over the northern mountains of Colorado and increase slightly Sunday evening ( Utah and northern Colorado ).  light snow showers may linger over Colorado near the divide into Tuesday. The middle of next week should bring some light to moderate moisture into the Sierra, southern Oregon, and central Idaho with warmer air.

That moisture moves into the Wasatch and Tetons after weakening by next weekend.  The models advertise moderate moisture over the Rockies late next weekend turning heavy at times the following week.   The first week of April looks very active for the Rockies with fairly high snow levels.   The Cascades might see a cold storm early that week!  Get out now and enjoy the fresh snow before things warm up considerably in the extended periods.

Powderchaser Steve

Convergence zone has set up over Interstate 90 with heavy snow at Alpental and Snoqualmie pass. 5 inches in the past 3 hours and likely to see 9 to 12 fresh super light pow for morning openings. Stevens is on the northern fringe of this currently so amounts will be lighter there. The epic alert will continue in those areas and dropped for the northern and southern zones.

Utah and Colorado had a good blast of winter today with up to 10 inches at Alta by 3 pm. The cold air over the NW tonight will be over the northern Wasatch by 5AM Friday and into the Cottonwood Canyons by 8 AM. Snow will be heavy at times, convective in nature, with a repeat of 5-10 by evening. Lake effect snow could form Friday night and bring more snow to areas south of the Great Salt Lake. Colorado sees the cold air Friday PM through Saturday with areas like Steamboat, Vail, Snowmass picking up a quick shot of 4-12 inches. My spread is due to cold air orographics, lack of moisture and amounts purely based on forcing of cold air against the mountains. Generally expect most areas to be in the 4-8 range with some exceptions. Those exceptions could be deep. UPDATE:   The Front range might see the best chance of heavier snow especially near the Indian Peaks range, Eldora and Loveland.

The next wave of cold air and perhaps moderate moisture comes on Sunday and Monday. This again favors the northern and central mountains of Colorado. The Wasatch will see lighter amounts.

Long term models show light snow over northern BC mid next week eventually pushing south into Whistler and the Cascades by next weekend. There is also a possibility of a heavy dump in central Idaho and southern Montana next weekend. The 1st week of April looks active including the Sierra and Rockies.

PCS

Has Spring really sprung?  Warm temps this week should give way to a more winter like pattern next week!

Please check out our latest Chase to Wolf Creek Colorado last weekend as the Powderchaser Crew caught some great video and an epic 2 days on the slopes

Heavy rain will continue to fall at lower elevations in the northern Cascades, with heavy snow falling at upper mountain locations in  British Columbia.   A general cooling trend will lower snow levels by Friday with light to possibly moderate snow falling in the Northwest into the weekend. 

The Rockies will start to see some left over action on Sunday/Monday with moderate snow likely in central and northern Idaho, as well as southern Montana and the Tetons.  Most of the energy stays on the northern side of Utah where light to possibly moderate snow is likely.  The Tetons, and areas near Bridger Bowl stand a better chance to see moderate amounts (Sunday/Monday) to freshen things up.

A very wet pattern is evolving for the middle to end of next week with a Powder Watch being hoisted for the Sierra, Wasatch, Tetons, and Colorado.  The period from Wednesday through the end of next week will be active. Powder Alerts will be likely. New England also stands a good chance of a mid March Dump next Tuesday/Wednesday as a new storm edges up the coast.

The last storm over the Rockies blessed many mountain locations in the San Juan’s of Colorado and New Mexico over the past 72 hours  (26 inches at Taos, Wolf Creek, and 21 inches at Ski Sante Fe).   The front range of Colorado did well in isolated areas with up to 14 inches at Eldora, 9-10 at Loveland and reports of deep snow near Berthod Pass and Breckenridge.

3 DAY MOISTURE

The upcoming week should bring heavy snow to the highest elevations of the Whistler area, rain at bases to near mid mountain at times through Thursday.  Light to moderate snow likely in the Interior.  The Cascades will see 3-5 inches or rain below 6,000 feet.   Colder air will sweep into the Northwest this weekend ending all rain and a return to light snow by Saturday.

 The cold front swings through Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Utah beginning late Sunday or the following Monday.  Snow should return to the northern Rockies in the Monday-Wednesday time frame next week.   Amounts are still too far out but the models seem to favor Colorado and areas from I-70 and North.   Most areas including the Wasatch, and Tetons will get into the action that week.

The East Coast also sees rain at times early this week with a hint at perhaps more snow by next weekend.

 Hope you enjoyed the “Blue Sky” powder day on Sunday for those that chased this past weekend!  

Keep our powder dreams alive!   

Powderchaser Steve

48 Hour Snowfall

Not many changes from yesterday!  Heavy snow will be falling over Flagstaff Arizona above 7500 feet today and this evening.  That snowfall moves into northern New Mexico and the San Juan’s of Colorado by late this afternoon.  Wolf Creek, Taos, and resorts near Durango might sneak out 2-4 inches by closing today.  Early evening will see the highest intensity snowfall with slight decreases by Saturday morning.   Snow amounts should range from 7-9 inches at Taos, 11-16 at Wolf Creek, 5-10 Telluride, 11-15 Purgatory (DMR),  and 8-10 near Silverton.  Crested Butte and Aspen might soak up 4-8.

The only changes to my original forecast is that the Front Range of Colorado will start to see snow earlier on Saturday making late AM and PM definite storm ski days!  Winds will be northerly on Saturday favoring resorts north of I-70 such as Winter Park, Eldora, Berthod Pass (9-14)  Loveland might also pick up decent amounts!   Other areas in Summit County will see 4-8 inches during the day Saturday. Steamboat and Vail will see snow but not confident on deep amounts.  I will say that Steamboat sometimes sneaks powder from SW flow so they might get a surprise by Saturday morning and occasional rare upslope!  (Most snow will fall near Meeker and Craig).  Snow showers Saturday evening (Additional 2-4) will be winding down by midnight Saturday.    Sunday could still see decent leftovers especially near Eldora or Winter Park under clearing skies.   Backcountry conditions near Berthod might be deep but remember strong winds and heavy snow might spell for high dangers by Sunday morning?

The Wasatch starts to pick up moderate snow beginning this afternoon and continuing into Saturday morning. Amounts are still respectable in the 6-10 inch range from this morning through Saturday noon.     Not quite the chase spot this week but if you are there a definite freshening. 

Strong High Pressure settles into the Rockies next week with a hint of a moderate storm for the Cascades by Monday/Tuesday.   

Powderchaser Steve

5 DAY MOISTURE TOTALS THROUGH SUNDAY

The models are very complex with some great confidence in 20-25 inches of snow for Northern California (Shasta area) into some areas of southern Oregon tonight.   Snow amounts will be less as you head south.  Amounts along I-80 near Truckee at the highest elevations will be 9-14 by mid day Wednesday (Storm ski AM).  Winds will be a major issue through most of Wednesday causing white out conditions, very high AVY danger and high elevation lift closures.  Mammoth will see 6-10 inches perhaps more, but my confidence for the southern Sierra is still less.  

The tricky maps have me leaning towards moderate snow for southern and central Idaho Wednesday night into Thursday (Could be very good for the southern tip of Idaho near Utah) and extension even into the Tetons (3-7) (Northern tip of moisture stream).  The Northern Wasatch near Snowbasin will see moderate snowfall with the northern tip of the State in Cache County still favored.  The  central Wasatch (Snowbird, Alta, Brighton) of Utah will only see light snow during this period.  Most of the action slowly moves into the 4 corners Friday morning wth 7500 foot snow levels.   Arizona Snowbowl will do well, as well as Brian Head, and eventually Taos and Durango area mountains.   Friday PM sees continuing snow over the 4 corners with a dry slot occuring after midnight.  This dry slot is short lived as another bulk of moisture streams in from the south with colder air by Saturday late AM.  This will bring more fluff to the dense snow during the day (Might be the better pick).  

The central Wasatch will see light snow through Friday, that turns moderate  Friday evening through Saturday night.  The amounts will depend significantly on how far north the low pushes. Right now my estimate is steady snowfall in the range of 10-15 inches over the 2 days.  This will favor resorts in the southern Wasatch like Sundance who could see higher amounts. The winds shift Northerly on Saturday night decreasing snowfall with  light amounts continuing through Sunday. 

Colorado shifts all the action into the Central mountains on Saturday late AM.  A strong cold front drops down from the north Saturday PM through Sunday bringing a high chance of snow from the north into I-70 and most of Summit County.

Very complex chases! 

Wednesday- Sierra – (11-15) strong winds! , Oregon/CA border (20 inches plus), Mount Shasta region? Ashland Oregon!

Thursday-  Sierra – Less Wind with light snow continuing

Friday- Idaho Border near Utah, Arizona Sowbowl, Brian Head- Snowing,  Wolf Creek PM

Saturday- Central Wasatch from Alta south- snow turns moderate, Sundance, heavier snow, Wolf Creek, Durango, Taos, snowing less dense good amounts

Sunday- Monarch, Front Range spots along I-70 with cold front passage, Snowbird- wildcard for possible snow that continues into Saturday night?

Any deviation of the low will make significant differences in amounts.  Right now in Utah it looks like Price stands the chance of very heavy snow perhaps towards Provo?   I am still confident in decent amounts for the central wasatch later in the storm period (Friday night/Saturday) however amounts might be spread out over several moderate events.

Powderchaser Steve