The past few days have offered some terrific chase opportunities, with interior portions of BC, upper elevations of Whistler, and the Tetons scoring some big numbers. Powderchaers has chased to both Whitewater Resort in BC and Grand Targhee in the past 3 days. The Tetons grabbed two 5-12 inch storms since Sunday. New terrain has been opening at JHMR, where Targhee has already popped most areas.
A storm system pounded BC as we forecasted for Tuesday night with some impressive totals.
Whistler 30 CM
Whitewater 25 CM
Revelstoke 22 CM
Fernie 20 CM
Winds are strong in most areas of BC and extend south into the northern Rockies. Snow levels are rising on Wednesday, with quality on the upside-down side. With the winds and warmer air, avalanche danger will increase. Bottom Line: Deep surf powder in many areas. It might be a stretch to find a blower. Most of the moisture is north of the lower 48.
Below: 4800-foot temps are rising Wednesday as these numbers trend down during the day (-1 to -2C in southern BC). It is a bit colder in northern BC, while coastal areas and the Cascades are all above freezing. This warm air is headed north in BC currently.
Below: Whistler is deep from overnight snowfall on Wednesday morning at mid and upper elevations.
Below: Revelstoke also reported decent totals on Wednesday morning.
The extended forecast brings a slew of moisture with an Atmospheric River initially aimed at the PNW and BC into early to mid-next week. Low-pressure troughs forced north by a ridge of high pressure will finally drop south over the Intermountain West and Sierra near the Christmas Holiday. This period also has a weak cold front that should help lower snow levels in the Cascades and BC.
Temperatures will remain above seasonal norms, with significant snow totals at the upper elevations of coastal BC and lower totals further south in the Cascades (Warm temps). The interior of BC will offer several opportunities for continued rounds of light to moderate events without any single deep day.
Coastal BC will receive snow nearly every day from this weekend into much of next week, initially at mid and upper-mountain elevations (1-3 feet). The Cascades in the PNW will see lower totals due to slightly warmer temperatures and lower summit elevations early next week.
A cold front is due for December 24/25. It will lower snow levels in the PNW and BC and possibly reach the Sierra in time for Santa to start sledding.
Below: The map shows 4800-foot temperatures (Celcius) from December 21 to December 25. Next week, relatively warm periods will initially migrate to colder conditions at the end of this loop (Dec 25). This cold front will likely result in impressive snow totals for the Cascades and BC just in time for the holiday. Snow is also likely for the Sierra range and areas of the Rockies.
Below: 4-day water totals for the west from Tuesday to Friday (next week) ending December 27th. Significant precipitation during this period, initially warmer temperatures followed by the cold front midweek.
Below are the total snowfall for the same 4-day period ending December 27th next week. Due to the snow levels initially being high and then cooling, we will need to narrow in on the totals in a later post with elevations.
Below: XMAS day- December 25th system edging into the Sierra with another low noted in the PNW or Canada.
Below: Potential snowfall from December 27 to December 29 (Let's hope this holds up)
Below (December 29-January 1) is a signal of continued storminess for the end of December into at least the few days of January. This loop below takes storms further south, perhaps over the Baja, before looping up over the four corners. Confidence is low this far out.
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