SUMMARY:
Today was a mixed bag depending on where you ended up. Snowbird was Deep with limited terrain open (Patrol tried but pulled the plug early). We heard Alta popped most terrain, and rumor has it that the Sierra was so warm it turned the fresh powder to cake (Unverified). With high avalanche danger at some of the Mega addictive resorts know for the most powder, you may have done better venturing to the less deeper ones today in Utah. Reports from a trusty friend at Vail said that the NW flow kicked in fast and furious today with snow cameras showing a rapid freshening of 6-9 inches! \Epic\" was the word used as there were no lift lines that day . So, in a nutshell, the last 3-4 days have been a frenzy of excitement, disappointments, and tons of anticipation for powder. Warm temps this winter (It has been noticeable) have been an issue, especially in the PNW and Sierra. The next 3 days promise to deliver very deep blower to New England and another good storm for the Rockies.
FORECAST:
Light snow is continuing along I-70 in Colorado early this evening that should taper by 9 PM. If you're up to the mountains early on Saturday, leftover deep pow and some light freshness since the lifts closed may make a great morning to enjoy the slopes. We're not going to get into specific resorts on this post due to most snow falling on Friday (Previous forecast).
Below: Vail Colorado- Friday. Skier: Kaitlyn Merriman
The headlines for this weekend are for New England! Light snow will be falling Saturday night over much of western MA and portions of eastern NY. Moderate snow kicks into the Berkshires and most of south-central Vermont and New Hampshire by daybreak (3-6 inches). Heavy snow will be falling during the morning hours (2 plus inches per hour) adding up to 11-18 inches by early afternoon. Significant snowfall is likely for most of New England by late Sunday night. The heaviest amounts are likely in central and southern New England (Stratton, Okemo, Killington, Bromley, Berkshires, I-89 Corridor, Conway - central Maine).
SOME RESORTS IN NEW ENGLAND WILL BE REPORTING 15-20 INCHES OF COLD SMOKE POWDER BY LATE SUNDAY
Resorts further north may see slightly lower amounts (11-15) but the spread is close. NW winds behind the front Sunday afternoon will enhance snowfall Sunday afternoon in northern Vermont (Jay Peak, Stowe, Sugarbush) so its possible they approach the totals to the south. Snow will intensify late AM through late PM Sunday in northern Maine (Sugarloaf), pushing into eastern Quebec and NE Canada for deep powder late Sunday or early Monday. The storm is fast moving, so all areas of New England will see very heavy snowfall by mid-morning Sunday (Earlier to the west). The Good: You can't go wrong with nearly any resort you pick for Sunday late AM and PM. Cold air with great quality. The Bad: Some winds Sunday may impact higher terrain lifts (30MPH gusts). Not a deal breaker, but choose wisely on resorts that may be impacted to a higher degree on winds.
Below: Total snowfall for New England through Sunday night. Lots of double digits! Ratios may push these numbers higher, but it's a quick hitter with intense precip rates on Sunday.
The Cascades and BC look wet in the next 24 hours. Easterly winds will keep some cold air in place in the mountains of Washington through Saturday morning (5-11 inches, with higher amounts at Mt Baker). Warming kicks temps up Saturday just after daybreak, so quality will likely decrease during the day. Baker may stay cooler and slightly deeper. Stevens Pass will be cooler than Crystal as warmer air filters south into Oregon. BC stands a good hit of 4-9 inches for Whistler (Cooler) as well as some spots in the interior. Ride Saturday but stick to either Stevens with better east flow, or head north to Whistler or Baker. Temps will warm in WA on Saturday.
EXTENDED
There is a decent storm on the horizon for the Rockies and Sierra. Snow will be falling on Sunday in the Sierra (3-7) that pushes a cold front into Tahoe late Sunday to Monday (Additional 3-7). Cooling will lower snow levels to the bases by Monday morning with an MLK powder day for most of the Sierra Range. Total snowfall will exceed 12 inches favoring the northern mountains. Ride late Sunday or early Monday.
Below: Total Sierra snow through Monday. North is slightly favored but that can change as we get closer.
Other spots to chase next week will include central Idaho extending south into the northern Sawtooth range (Sun Valley may score again- Wildcard). The southern Panhandle, Central Idaho, and perhaps Montana near Missoula could score some decent snowfall. The Tetons grab decent snow (Moderate or heavy) late Sunday/Monday. The Wasatch will land double digits by midday Monday (Mix of overnight and day snow). Leftovers head into Colorado favoring the northern and central mountains PM Monday into Tuesday. You may be able to chase from Wyoming or Utah to Colorado and catch the same storm twice (Full bonus).
Below: Total snowfall through Monday PM in Utah and Wyoming. Colorado only showing northern areas on this map with more detail on a future post.
PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR POWDER CONCIERGE WHO HOPEFULLY SCORE YOU THE DEEPEST POW
Enjoy the powder everyone!
Powderchasers
