Summary:
Thus far, Fall has seen an unusually cooler pattern for the northern sections of the west where up to 3-4 feet fell last week in the mountains of southern Alberta. The next storm is on our doorsteps with light pow falling in the Cascades that will transition to the northern Rockies today before moving south into central areas Thursday. Expect chase like conditions in many locations of the west (I am dreaming that there is a 100-inch base) this week.
FORECAST:
Light snow is currently falling over Stevens Pass per the below webcam. This snow will pick up on Tuesday and should spread between 3-8 inches (Above 5,000) impacting most of Washington favoring resorts along or north of I-90. Some light snow fell last night at Whistler in BC.
Below: Stevens Pass as of Tuesday morning.
Below: Whistler Cam as of Tuesday morning.
Heavier snow will be falling inland over Revelstoke with even higher confidence on the BC/Alberta border (9-15). That will drop very cold air into the northern Rockies late Tuesday/Wednesday with temps quickly dropping to well below freezing at most Valley locations. Confidence is high for double digits for north/central Montana (Bozeman area valleys and Bridger Bowl). Whitefish up north is a wildcard, as the models seem to shift much of this snow further east or south. Confidence is moderate for a decent 5-11 inches for Big Sky. Highest confidence might land at the small resort of Red Lodge Mountain in southern Montana (Wyoming border) where it's possible that 1-2 feet fall by Wednesday night.
While the Tetons and Wasatch get teased with much lighter amounts, Colorado will be in the headlines by Thursday afternoon. Light snow will be falling north of I-70 late Wednesday night (Steamboat should see 1-3 inches by 9 AM Thursday). Snow will intensify further south on Thursday impacting a wide area of Colorado. The chase dream (Assuming it was mid-winter) would include Steamboat, Winter Park, Copper, Vail, Loveland, A-Basin, Breckenridge, and Snowmass. Winds from the north will favor spots along or north of I-70 initially before shifting to the NW late. NW flow could get some surprises going further west along I-70 in Summit or Eagle Counties. Some snow will be falling as far south as Monarch.
Below: Total snowfall through Thursday night. The focus is from the WY/MT border into northern Montana and Alberta. Colorado does well on Thursday. Snow will likely exceed these numbers due to very cold temps and better snow ratios.
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Start dreaming! Its snowing cold pow and before we know it, we will all be chasing powder for the 2019/20 season. If you ask, \"Will it be a good winter\" my answer is YES, absoultely if you are willing to chase \"its always snowing somewhere\"
Powderchaser Steve
