Dreaming for Teton Pow this morning with closed resorts head to the pass where telemetry is showing 15 inches of dreamy surf pow (Check the Avalanche report before venturing out). Temps were warm for the bulk of the storm and cooled towards the last 2-3 inches this morning. Up to 12 inches is at the mid station at JHMR (Closed) and 7-8 inches at Targhee (Closed).
Below: Impressive amounts of snow at the Raymer study plot at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort since 5 AM Sunday. Temps were in the mid to upper 20's falling to low 20s this morning (Dense).
Below: Teton Pass as of Monday morning. Dreamy creamy! Who's truck is that?
If your jonsing to chase resort pow stick to the Sierra, Wasatch and perhaps Colorado this week. Models have downtrended the Sierra totals to 4-7 inches late Monday to Tuesday. One model brings an even spread from I-80 south where another shows better odds of deeper snow to the south (Mammoth). I would aim for the central or southern Sierra, however, Squaw or Sugar Bowl may also score (Wildcard). Temps will be cool and some light snow will be falling at lake level (Decent quality on the mountain).
In the Wasatch look for 2 systems to impact that region. Very warm temps Monday and decent moisture will bring 4-9 inches to the summit of Alta through 7 PM. Temps are 31 degrees at upper elevations currently (1 inch since 6 AM). The wild wet weather (Rain at the base) will wean tonight with snow increasing again after 3 AM Tuesday. Expect some additional light to moderate snow for the opening lifts Tuesday with perhaps another 4-8 inches by closing Tuesday. The coldest air with NW flow does not arrive until midday Tuesday so quality will be improving as the day goes on, but still dense in the AM. Some models show higher amounts for the summits. SW wind direction favors Big Cottonwood. Brighton could score higher amounts initially than LCC?. Any hope of quality may come Tuesday, however, it may be a split storm total from Monday (moderate or heavy) and again during the day Tuesday (Light to moderate). Get up early and check snow reports for Big and Little Cottonwood. Cream ski initially with some colder frosting happening during the day Tuesday. Some light snow showers may linger Tuesday night with NW flow favoring LCC. On a scale of 1-10, I am giving this a 4.
In Colorado, my optimism was never very high. Light snow will be falling by Wednesday morning (2-4) for many ski areas along I-70. The flow shifts northerly Wednesday night into Thursday favoring the Continental Divide. It's possible that another 3-5 inches fall for your first turns Wednesday. Snow will be on the dense side. Get what you can!
It's Spring in the Rockies! Keep expectation low and hopefully, we can have some surprises.
This may be my final week posting on Open Snow for the season.
Powderchaser Steve
