SUMMARY: JHMR just hit 500 inches for the season! The storm that teased Colorado with 1-3 inches last night will tease again later today (Light amounts). Utah grabbed 5-7 inches. We mentioned keeping an eye on Deer Valley who was on the top end of the range due to southerly winds (7 inches). Amounts that fell were within my range for the Wasatch of 6-10 inches I posted yesterday (Still snowing lightly). Temps were warm last night so conditions will be creamy smooth at the summits. Expect wet snow or mank at the bases. The next 7 days are very active with warm air in the cards through Saturday (Slight cooling in the Rockies). The Cascades will see the heaviest moisture (Several days) Friday-Sunday with deep amounts at the summits and a cooling trend for Saturday. The Sierra could score a decent event Friday followed by another warmish storm for Utah and Wyoming Saturday. The Rockies may earn a cold storm by mid next week
Light snow is still falling from looking at the radar over Utah and western Colorado. Telluride may lead the game this morning in Colorado as moisture drops into the San Juans. Expect another 1-3 inches for Utah and SW Colorado.
Below: Light snow continuing in the upper elevations of the west through Friday with heavier amounts in the Sierra Friday and perhaps the Pacific Northwest (Upper peaks). Time period- Wednesday morning to Friday mid-morning (24 hour periods).
Chase? The only places I see as contenders are dodging the warm air in the Cascades for Saturday (3500 snow levels) where Baker or perhaps even Crystal score moderate to isolated heavy amounts. Baker seems to be favored with SW winds and slightly cooler temps in the north. Models disagree on the temps with one putting snow levels around 4,000 (Above the base of Baker) and the other lower. Regardless, the PNW is going to stay very active Friday-Monday with snow levels dropping below all base areas at times this weekend only to rise 6 hours later. Timing will be key! I believe Saturday may offer the best window. Stevens is a wildcard! Sunday will see continued snow for the PNW with snow levels fluctuating Saturday night (Rising then lowering) into Sunday. Heavy amounts of precipitation will have accumulated by Monday morning. 1-2 feet may be in the cards for some summits by the end of the weekend with much less at the bases. Whistler will see moderate snow Friday and Saturday (Models show 5-10 inches with the Environment Canada Forecast much less). I think late Friday or early Saturday would have good conditions from mid to upper mountain elevations.
In the Sierra, a solid push of 5-10 inches is likely from late Friday morning to late evening. It's moist but quick moving with reasonable snow levels (6500). The issue may be winds will increase at some point Friday afternoon. The northern Sierra is favored for this storm.
In the Rockies, moderate to heavy moisture from the Sierra push north with SW winds switching more westerly as we approach Idaho, Wyoming, and Utah. Moderate-high elevation snow is likely in Idaho for late Friday to early Saturday. Moderate or occasionally heavier snow showers are likely for the Wasatch Friday night into Saturday. Moderate snow is likely for the Tetons with lighter amounts pushing into Big Sky.
Leftovers will push into Colorado on Saturday (Light or moderate amounts).
EXTENDED POW CAST
This is a complex forecast! Rain/Snow continues in the Cascades Sunday/Monday and edges into Idaho during the period. Sun Valley and areas northwest to Brundage may do well at upper elevations (Warm at the bases) Monday-Tuesday. The heaviest moisture stays north of Utah Monday/Tuesdaywith the Tetons in scoring position at upper elevations. JHMR closes this Sunday. Targhee stays open but not sure about midweek?
Colder air filters into the Rockies mid next week. We are likely to see a foot or more of snow for many locations in Utah, Wyoming, Colorado and perhaps southern Montana at some point from Wednesday to Thursday. Stay tuned for chase details.
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