Good morning Powder lovers. The next 6 days has potential for some moderate snow in the PNW that is ongoing currently (Friday) and will drop south over the Sierra by the weekend. Numbers are on the moderate side for Whistler (4-8 inches), and the Northern Cascades of Washington. Mt Baker automated telemetry indicates 7 inches has fallen since 11 PM Thursday with an additional 1-3 inches likely prior to the lifts opening on Friday morning. Temps are on the warm side (Great surf snow, pillow drops, etc.). Much less snow is expected south of Whatcom County. Bottom Line PNW/BC: Chase Friday north to Whistler or areas south in northern Washington. Timing is prime for all overnight pow. Additional moderate to heavy snow is likely by Monday/Tuesday.
Below: @powderchasersteve via Instagram at Crystal Mountain last Tuesday morning. The Cascades scored big time earlier this week.
Below: Mt Baker had a quick 7 inches Thursday night (Surf pow) on the telemetry pulled from NWAC. Friday will be fun.
Below: Whistler is reporting 7 inches overnight (10 in 24) with light snow continuing on Friday. Conditions will be really good up high Friday.
This storm in the PNW Friday will weaken and drop due south over the Sierra for the weekend bringing light to moderate totals to the Tahoe Basin for Saturday morning (3-7). This fast moving system swings further south that will freshen the Arizona Snowbowl by later this weekend as well as some resorts in New Mexico (Taos) by Monday (Storm Ski light to moderate totals). We don't expect these totals to be significant, however there should be enough powder to soften things up and prime the slopes for the next system in our extended outlook. Ride the Sierra Saturday and AZew Mexico Sunday/Monday. Bigger totals in the extended.
Extended Powder:
A warm front pushes into the Pacific Northwest Sunday with snow levels rising to 4500 feet. Moisture will increase with the warm front Sunday night and increase by 4AM Monday with a strong cold front with snow levels crashing to 500 feet by Tuesday morning. Timing is tricky on chasing deep powder for Monday. Models seem to hold back the heaviest precipitation until Monday at around 3AM. The previous deep storm in the Cascades Wednesday primarily landed late PM to early AM (Perfect timing) whereas this one comes in later. Northern areas will be favored with SW winds initially Sunday night (Favors Mt Baker and Whistler) before veering NW on Monday morning. Temps will continue to fall on Monday with light lowland snow possible in the foothills outside of Seattle at some point by Tuesday morning. Deeper Monday numbers will likely land up north in Washington with the central and southern Cascades of Washington catching up by noon Monday. Storm skiing could be really good Monday with additional light or moderate snow likely for your 1st turns on Tuesday. Moderate snow is noted to spread into northern Idaho near Selkirk Powder and the northern areas of the Idaho Panhandle Monday-Tuesday. Cat skiing at Selkirk Powder will be good next week and most days next week after Monday, February 13 they still have seats available in the cat!
Below: 24 hour snowfall for the Cascades through late Monday night highlighting the central and northern regions of Washington with an upside if convergence zones form during the day Monday or Monday night. Whistler will also score some decent numbers. Oregon will score some decent numbers albeit a bit less. Timing is not perfect with this storm with some of this snow falling while the lifts are open Monday. Interior BC will score moderate totals with snow also noted over northern Idaho (Selkirk Powder Guides).
This system drops some decent numbers in Oregon for Mt Hood, Timberline and Bachelor Tuesday. The Sierra Range grabs the leftovers early next week with a better moisture feed pulling into the 4 corners by Tuesday/Wednesday. Keep reading.
Southern Utah and Colorado will benefit most with decent numbers also coming in from northern Arizona and New Mexico (Taos) by Tuesday or Wednesday.Some of the San Juan Ranges will be deep by Wednesday morning (Wolf Creek, Purgatory, Silverton, Taos, CB-Wildcard, Monarch-Wildcard). Winds favor these ranges initially from the SW. Areas north to Aspen will see moderate totals sitting on edge of the heavier moisture further south. Look for good totals for Brian Head or Eagle Point in Southern Utah.
The central or southern Wasatch range (Cottonwoods, I-80) will grab the northern edge of the front with moderate snow likely Tuesday AM/PM (4-8).
In Colorado, Upslope easterly flow is noted on the models for Tuesday night or Wednesday morning favoring resorts along the Divide. Some good numbers are noted for Salida (Monarch sits on the edge and is a wildcard) with decent totals noted in the Front Range, especially Jefferson and Boulder County. It's possible that Eldora come out ahead by Wednesday morning. Lower numbers are noted for Summit County.
Below: Colorado and New Mexico could score some good numbers early to mid next week with SW flow veering to upslope easterly flow late in the storm period impacting the Front Range.
Bottom Line Extended: Good event for the PNW early next week with timing not perfect (PM and AM snow). Teases for the Sierra. Decent totals for the San Juan Range next week. Upslope flow late Tuesday or Wednesday might land some surprise totals closest to the Front Range. You could chase this storm from the PNW to the San Juan Range and finish near Denver for Wednesday.
Below: Total snowfall through next Thursday (February 16th) showing some good numbers for BC, PNW, and San Juan range. These totals include 2 systems that begin today (Friday) and another system earlier next week.
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Powderchaser Steve
