FINAL POWDER ALERT-10-20 Inches of Cold Smoke

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This is our final post for North America's 25-26 season. This includes a Powder Alert for 10-15 inches of snow for the Northern Rockies Thursday/Friday, and a new storm due for the central and southern Rockies later this weekend into early next week. While most ski areas are closed, there are still a few that will offer deep turns in the next 1-5 days. See the details below.

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High-level Discussion:

Low pressure is centered over Montana, and a very cold air mass dominates the northern Rockies through Friday. This brings 9-18 inches of snow to areas of central and perhaps southern Montana (Big Sky is a solid wildcard). The Tetons will score 12-15 inches with perhaps 5-10 inches near Whitefish, and higher totals near Missoula. The Idaho Panhandle and central regions also grab powder. Utah is on the southern fringe of the action with 2-5 inches possible for the Wasatch on Thursday. Cold air is confined to areas north of Utah.

Reminder that April 27 is the final day to get your Mountain Collective pass with a 3rd bonus day at the resort of your choice!

A second storm That will be warmer moves ashore from California by Saturday (Light snow) and will intensify a bit over the Wasatch and perhaps areas of central and southern Colorado. Decent snow totals are likely through Monday morning in the central and southern Rockies.

Below: Currently snowing heavily in the Tetons- Targhee (Closed, including uphill) is stacking up quickly.

Below: Jackson Hole (Closed) is grabbing snow at base elevations.

Below: Bridger Bowl is deep (Closed) on Thursday morning. WOO HOO.

What happened this season

Below: Total water averages for the 25-26 season were near average in the PNW, northern Rockies, and even the Sierra (Caught up in the past 2-3 weeks). The water averages are below normal as you move south over Utah, Colorado, and especially towards New Mexico. Unfortuantely snow totals were lower due to the warmest ski season on record.

Below: SWE (Snow water equivalent) if you melted snow is well below average in nearly every basin in the west, aside from a few areas of the northern Rockies (Yellows and a few greens) that also extend into western Canada (Whistler had a great season at upper elevations). The Sierra, while it has near-normal water totals, has suffered many rain events, limiting snowfall. Note: This map might not account for some upper peaks of ski areas where telemetry is often lacking (SWE might be a bit better at upper peaks).

POWDER ALERT DETAILS SHORT TERM- Snow is falling in the west.

Below: Snowfall from Thursday to Friday is filling into the northern Rockies. Wyoming and Montana seem to be the best recipients. Utah is on the southern end of this higher moisture band. 9-15 inches or more are likley in the northern Rockies, with 2-5 inches in the Wasatch. Higher totals have already fallen near Bozeman (Bridger Bowl has 18 inches, and it is still snowing).

Below: Low pressure is parked in the northern Rockies on Thursday

Below: The Arctic cold air mass is moving into the northern Rockies on Thursday, with 10K foot temps plunging to -15C (5F). This will bring very light-density snow to many areas (Cold smoke). It will feel more like mid-January than late April. The coldest air stays north of Utah.

Storm #2 moves into the west later this weekend with good moisture.

Below: A new system moves ashore by Saturday and traverses east over Utah and Colorado by Sunday/Monday. This takes a path near the Four Corners.

Below: 24-hour snow increments from Saturday to Monday with storm #2 favoring the central and southern Rockies. Utah and some areas of Colorado could do well with this storm above 6K feet. This storm has relatively warmer temperatures (12:1 snow ratios). We anticipate 12-15 inches of snow with this system for areas of the Wasatch and southern Colorado. Best ride times are Sunday/Monday.

Thanks for following Powderchasers this season. We will still issue occasional South America posts this summer. Please support us.

Forecaster @powderchasersteve (Instagram). Check out the wildlife photos and send a message if you are interested in any prints.

Please help us out if you read our free forecasts, by considering some of our high-quality merch for Xmas in our powderchaser store.

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