SQUAW VALLEY USA APRIL 13th POWDER! THE CHASE FOR POWDER IS ON!

The chase back from Squaw was long as snow is now falling over the San Juans of Colorado as well as the Wasatch. Amounts are light with 5 inches at Wolf Creek, and 3 inches at Snowbird as of 7:30 AM. Snow will pick up over the San Juans late this morning and early afternoon continuing through the evening before most of the energy moves North through Central Colorado and up towards the Flat Tops (Craig, Meeker and to some extent Steamboat). Aspen and I-70 near Vail will see 7-9 inches tonight into Sunday morning where Wolf Creek will see totals in the 10-14 inch range. Unfortunately, some of that snow will be during the day today and another moderate round tonight before the action shifts to the North. The Wasatch will see 2-4 inches today, 5-7 tonight, and 1-2 on Sunday.

More snow possible by the middle of next week?

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Squaw Valley April 13th POWDER DAY

The chase back from Squaw was long as snow is now falling over the San Juans of Colorado as well as the Wasatch.  Amounts are light with 5 inches at Wolf Creek, and 3 inches at Snowbird as of 7:30 AM.   Snow will pick up over the San Juans late this morning and early afternoon continuing through the evening before most of the energy moves North through Central Colorado and up towards the Flat Tops (Craig, Meeker and to some extent Steamboat).  Aspen and I-70 near Vail will see 7-9 inches tonight into Sunday morning where Wolf Creek will see totals in the 10-12 inch range.  Unfortunately, some of that snow will be during the day today and another moderate round tonight.   The Wasatch will see 3-6 inches today, 3-7 tonight, and 1-2 on Sunday.

More snow possible by the middle of next week?

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The storm that we hinted on last week is coming together certainly for the Sierra and the 4 corners of Utah/Colorado/New Mexico, however some models push moisture into Central and Northern Colorado by Saturday afternoon.  Moderate snow will break out tonight over the Sierra into Thursday (4-7) while Utah’s Wasatch will see light snow begin around midnight and continue through the weekend.

The Sierra will see moderate to occasionally heavy snow Friday morning (8-12) colder temperatures better snow densities, that should continue until the evening.   A secondary cold front might kick up additional snow on Saturday.

The Wasatch of Utah continues to see snow through the period with storm totals around 15 inches by Sunday morning. The issue is that this storm will provide a 4 day period of light moisture so the build up will be continuous as opposed to waking up to a foot from any 12 hour period.  Big Cottonwood might do better with SW flow.

The 4 Corners will start to see snow Saturday morning with heavy snow Saturday night.  Sunday might be the best day to be at Silverton, Wolf Creek, Durango or Taos.   The models are flip flopping on where Sunday fits into the picture.  I believe that snow will continue in the 4 corners possibly lighter, and some maps show a large amount of moisture over Central and Northern Colorado extending from Grand Junction Northeast towards Steamboat the NE corner of Colorado.  This might be a hint of some action along I-70 as well for Sunday/Monday.

THE CHASE:

Thursday- Sierra – Light to moderate amounts (4-7)

Friday- Sierra- Moderate to possibly heavy amounts (7-12),  Wasatch for light to moderate amounts (3-7)

Saturday- Sierra snow ends however still a decent day!  Get into position for the 4 Corners.

Sunday- Silverton, Wolf Creek, Durango

Monday- Areas in Central and Northern Colorado (WILD CARD).

Enjoy what might be the last decent cold storm of the season and please help me make my web goals and donate if you have not done so already.  I am still far short of the goals from my 2011/2012 costs however very grateful to the folks that have contributed!

I don’t usually pull the trigger on Powder Alerts this far out however as our season is winding down the excitement of just 1 more day on the slopes in the fresh so why not stir up the powder community with a decent guess of moderate and perhaps heavy snow over the Sierra and Wasatch late next week!   Snowbird and Alta had 15 inches yesterday and all between 4AM and Noon (Very light density on top of a variable ice layer).   

Light snow will cover the Sierra Tuesday/Wednesday (3-5) with a break in the action Thursday until a low pressure system that sits offshore moves in bringing a good chance of 7-10 inches (Perhaps more), into the Sierra Thursday night and Friday.  The Wasatch of Utah will start to see snow late Friday night continuing into Sunday morning. Snow intensity might not be heavy so total amounts will be a build up over the 2-3 days and reach decent proportions by Sunday morning.  Snow levels may also be fairly high on Southerly winds.  Colorado should see snow begin on Saturday which at this point seems to favor the Central and Southern Mountains however the maps depict a bulls-eye over Steamboat and areas West towards Meeker by Sunday?  Wind flow tells me that this is a wild-card so the chase will definitely change as we get closer!  I think the 4 corners is a safe bet for Colorado.

This whole plan could fall apart since we are still a week out but my gut tells me keep the boards handy and be ready to stab another day on thes slopes! My confidence level at this point is greater than 50%!

Early Chase ideas?    Friday- Sierra,  Saturday, Wasatch, Sunday- Wasatch and Southern Colorado, Monday- Colorado Central and North

Thanks to all that have donated towards the site however I am still quite a ways away from my web goals so at this point if you have some spare powder bucks to throw my way it will only go towards improving the site!

POWDERCHASER STEVE

Montana who often gets little mention on the site but deserves to be loved will be in the spotlight this week as low pressure takes aim later today through Friday!  Big Sky should see 9-15 inches by late Friday, warmer temperatures and moderate winds.  The Wasatch of Utah will pick up a cold front tonight through Friday morning with a quick 3-6 inches likely at the highest elevations. 

Long Term Powder?   The charts are flip flopping on next week however a good chance exists for light rain along the California Coast mid next week to eventually work inland by Thursday and Friday (Next Week).  Some of the models bring a decent fetch of moisture into the Sierra, Montana, and Southern Canada by late next week and weekend!  The Wasatch will also see snow by late next week as well as Northern Colorado by Sunday/Monday.  Amounts appear to be the heaviest over the Sierra and areas North from Big Sky Montana to the Canadian Border.   You know I like to get excited a bit early so rather give you a heads up now even though 7-9 day models often can change considerably.  Daily Updates will post any changes!

The Chase?   Head to Central Montana and perhaps hit the resorts near Bozeman or Big Sky for some fresh powder late today and Friday,  Next week’s chase could include the Sierra by Friday and the Northern Rockies by the weekend. Winter is not over yet!  Keep the Chase alive and visit our donation page!  Thus far I am at almost 25% of the yearly goals and thanks to all of you that have pitched in this year!  There are some new videos posted on Powderchasers  ”On The Road” Tab from Snowbirds epic 3 day dump a few weeks ago sent in from Blake Funston from Boulder. If you have videos post them under Powder Buzz or Facebook and we will get them on the site!

Powderchaser Steve