Summary
Colorado nabbed up to 8-9 inches Monday night into Tuesday morning. Today might offer the best turns in the west, especially in the Rockies before high pressure settles in until at least mid-next week. Storms might return for the long-range forecast. Remember to follow our forecaster/rider @lstone84 on instagram!
Trip Report: Stevens Pass had 12-14 inches of new snow on Monday morning. Snow was a bit wind impacted in spots, but for the most part, held consistent, great quality (Dry), and deep enough to cover most of the bottom. However, frozen sharks lurked below (Previous bump tops) so you had to tread lightly and pick your lines wisely. I, unfortunately, nailed a shark fin and re-injured my hamstring (Partial tear) and may be out for several weeks if not the end of the season. I had never allowed my original injury to fully heal and the pain with a hamstring is miserable. Ski Patrol did a great job getting the backside open by 0930 on Monday.
Forecast:- Powder Alert
On Tuesday morning, Colorado is reporting several inches of new snow that all fell overnight. Here are a few reports:
Breckenridge: 8 inches
Vail: 8 inches
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Snowmass: 7 inches (9-10 on the snow camera)
Winter Park: 6 inches
Generally, 5-8 inches fell at most resorts in Colorado in the central and northern mountain ranges with less to the south or on the eastern side of the Divide
Below: Departing Trough over Colorado on Tuesday morning.
Snow showers are exiting Colorado as of early Tuesday as high pressure takes hold for the west for the remainder of this week. In the extended forecast there is a continued chance of snow for the Cascades and especially Canada. Whistler was forced to cease operations temporarily (Closed) from the Canadian Government to combat an increase of Covid cases. This closure will go through at least April 19th. The extended forecast for the west looks unsettled but it's too early to put much confidence in any details.
Low pressure will return to British Columbia by the end of this week with moderate snowfall, cold temps for most areas along the coast and inland. The interior BC resorts that look deepest are in the northern regions. The Cascade Range is likely going to see some moderate snowfall this weekend (Northern areas favored). Some of that will also impact northern Oregon. Temps will be unseasonably cool with good quality.
Below: Some decent snowfall for coastal BC, perhaps northern Washington and the northern interior of BC through Saturday night.
For the Rockies, a significant warm-up with high pressure is in the cards for the next 6 days. The models are hinting at this to buckle at some point towards April 6th. Currently, some snow if possible for Montana and even Wyoming towards the middle of next week (Low confidence this far out), with perhaps a stronger system due for Colorado at some point towards the end of next week. Some models show some decent totals. We may stay in a stormy pattern through at least the middle of the month. Ride your bikes now and bring out the boards again towards the middle or end of next week. While confidence is low this far out, lets hope the models hold up.
Below: Low pressure approaching the west by the middle of next week (April 7th). This might impact northern regions of the Rockies before settling south over Colorado late in the week (Low confidence).
Below: General trend for troughs for the western United States late next week as high pressure will likely buckle (Time Stamp April 10th).
Enjoy the Powder everyone! Who is still reading? I expect to continue posting through April 15th. Please consider an end of the season donation to Powderchasers if you scored powder, read our near daily forecasts, or just feel like supporting us. Thanks for all of your following over the past many years. End of the season donation link:
Powderchaser Steve
