SUMMARY
Utah scored a sneak up powder day Sunday morning with 7-10 inches being reported at many ski areas by late AM. The next 5 days will feature some light snow primarily for the Tetons late Monday to Tuesday and a moderate warm storm for southern Colorado for Friday. If you want powder on the East Coast, head to Quebec for Friday/Saturday. Even areas of central Maine might score late week (Wildcard)
FORECAST
Most folks slept in Sunday morning as snow started falling in the Wasatch by 4AM. Strong enhancement with a weak cold front cranked totals up quickly Sunday by daybreak (1-2 inches at the snow reports) with up to 16 inches at Solitude by 11AM. Big Cottonwood scored the highest amounts with SW wind direction (Often favors BCC) and 8-9 inches towards Snowbird and Alta (BCC). The Park City area did well with similar amounts to Little Cottonwood (7-8). Park City and Deer Valley often over perform with southerly winds (PCMR with SW winds and Deer Valley with S winds). Reports from the hill ranged from really good in spots to just the opposite in others. What a great surprise for those that motivate Sunday morning on an unexpected double digit day. Who was out there?
The week ahead features some light snow for the Tetons late Monday to Tuesday (3-5) with higher amounts possible just south of Hoback Junction. The Wasatch will likely see less. Not an exiting forecast.
Overall this forecast is on the boring side once again and I don't see much hope in an upside surprise. While we might not see much snow in the short term for the West the extended looks better.
One option this week is to consider flying to Quebec or even sections of Maine where a decent low pressure system will be impacting primarily Eastern Canada late this week into the weekend.
Below: Significant snowfall likely for Quebec by Saturday morning.
EXTENDED
Models show a northern trough entering Montana late this week with much colder temperatures. Light to moderate snow is likely favoring the northern areas of Montana (Glacier National Park), Whitefish (Wildcard- with strongest moisture just East), that eventually pushes south towards south central Montana (Might tease Bridger and Big Sky- but looking slightly East). Red Lodge Mountain is a wildcard.
Meanwhile, a 2nd trough pulling moisture from the Baja in the south will begin to impact southern Colorado on Friday. Yesterday's models showed significant snow for New Mexico which has downtrended for today. Wolf Creek and the southern San Juan Range of Colorado are likely to see some moderate snowfall Friday/Saturday. (Begins Friday morning). This is likely to be a warm storm with dense snow.
Below: Late week systems impacting Montana by Friday and the San Juans .
As the weekend approaches, the models are bullish for some moderate or perhaps heavier snowfall likely for the Tetons and Wasatch. This action might peak late weekend or early the following week as the pattern becomes more unsettled for the Rockies. The Good: Moisture increases in the Rockies late this weekend or early the following week. The Bad: Temps are warm (Montana will stay colder) with colder air north that might limit totals initially or quality. The Temps will cool the following week where quality might improve.
Below: March 17th on week #2 shows a decent Trough entering the Rockies and Sierra.
Below: Ensembles are still bullish for many areas mid next week (March 18th-19).
ANNOUNCEMENT
Currently, I am at North Cascade Heli Ski in Washington. This is an operation that I have wanted to check out for a long time. Reports from skiers today were excellent. Temps have stayed cold for the past several days with snowfall late last week. I will report from North Cascades in the next 24 hours and share some feedback. \"Wow\" \"No rush for 1st chair\" \"I can see the Helicopter from my cabin located just 50 yards away from my room\"
Enjoy the powder everyone! I will be riding from 5,000 to 8500 feet today.
Powderchaser Steve
