It's snowing heavily over much of the northern Rockies and the southern Cascades. Very deep snow is being reported at press time for Mount Bachelor (20-30 inches), Jackson (21 inches), Targhee (12), and Brundage (15), Temps were cold so quality was very high in all areas including Oregon. Significant snow will continue to fall for several days in a line from Oregon through Idaho, Wyoming, and southern Montana.
Most of the Oregon Cascades will continue to see heavy snow through Monday. It's likely that many spots nab 12-20 more inches! Snorkel Alert is officially hoisted.
Below: Pictures tell everything.
Snow continues in Idaho and ramps up Sunday night and Monday for central and southern zones. Resorts such as Bogus, Brundage, Sun Valley, Tamarack, and even Pomerelle (Wildcard) are all going to get double digits by late Monday night (12-24)! Snow will continue albeit slightly lighter intensities into Tuesday. Storm ski on Monday!
Below: Deepness at JHMR today at the base area- Photo: Powderchaser Steve
The Tetons continue to get hammered with double-digit storms. 9-10 inches fell at Targhee with 20 inches at JHMR. SW winds favor Teton Pass and areas east towards Jackson. Both resorts will pick up additional snow Sunday night into Monday. Models show 12-18 inches north of Jackson into Yellowstone with less at the ski areas. My best guess is 5-10 inches Sunday night and another 4-7 on Monday. Winds are also increasing for the Tetons with gusts to 55 MPH on Sunday night and Monday morning. Snow is going to continue in the Tetons through Wednesday with a warming trend beginning midday Monday. Warming will bring snow levels to the valley floor (31-34 degrees at the bases) on Tuesday and Wednesday. AVY danger will be rising! Significant mid and high elevation snow will continue through much of the week with a break late Wednesday. Several feet are likley through the period.
Montana wil stay on the colder side of the warming temps this week so if your really looking for cold blower head to Missoula where the Montana Snowbowl could be deep by Tuesday. BIg Sky is a wildcard sitting on the line with warm/cold air. Bridger may be a better bet? Not sure.
Below: Snowfall through Wednesday. Highest amounts in Sun Valley, Brundage, Tetons, with Big Sky a wildcard. The number 20 is Hailey (South of SV), 25 (Jackson Airport) and 29 Mcall. I think the numbers are overdone due to warming at lower elevations.
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The Sierra is in my headlines! Significant Atmospheric River is going to produce dangerous conditions for travel, roof collapses, and power outages this week. For the ski areas, your best day may be Monday night into Tuesday! Decent snow levels (5,000 feet) and 16-26 inches of snow will have fallen by mid-morning Tuesday. Strong winds may keep upper lifts on hold! Quality will be good for the areas that are open. Warming happens late Tuesday-Wednesday (6500-7,000 foot snow levels). There is a cold front that will welcome drier powder for Thursday. It's likely that there will be virtually no break in precipitation in the Sierra from Monday night to Thursday. Rain will likely be falling at lake level midweek and turn back to snow by Wednesday night or Thursday. Models pump 80 inches at the Crest (upper elevations). There may be higher amounts by late Thursday! The northern Sierra will see the highest amounts. Mammoth to the south will see less, however with the high base elevation, and even less snow, it may be a good call for open terrain and quality especially midweek.
BOTTOM LINE: THE SIERRA WILL BE BURIED BY THURSDAY AND ANOTHER BURIAL IS POSSIBLE NEXT WEEKEND.
Below: Insane numbers of snow for the highest summits of Lake Tahoe. 88 inches plus will fall on the crest this week.
The Wasatch will see snow on the northern border with Idaho beginning Sunday night and Monday. Beaver Mountain is a wildcard pick for Monday depending on far south the moisture drops from Idaho. The central Wasatch near Salt Lake City including areas north to Snowbasin will finally get into the action Tuesday and Wednesday. Snow from the Sierra drags over Utah (Weakened) and produces moderate snow for most ski areas. It's possible the Cottonwoods see higher amounts, especially by Wednesday morning.
In the long range, another decent storm impacts the Tetons late this week. The Wasatch in Utah may also score powder. AND, yet another deep storm for the Sierra with warming happens Saturday or Sunday.
This is by far the wettest week I can remember in a long time spread out over so many zones. The past 3 weeks, including the deep totals in the Wasatch and Sierra, followed by the Dessert dumps (AZ, NM) and now the north-central Rockies and PNW is a powder chasing dream! For some of us, there have been virtually no breaks between storms.
Enjoy the powder!
Powderchaser Steve
