Quick update: I am in the MTB mode this weekend getting my fill of singletrack in before the next decent storm cycle fires up midweek. I think the call today will be Moab with my VW TDI and camping gear.
The Wasatch fizzled out fast this morning with my original forecast for 3-8 inches. The upper Cottonwoods picked up only 3 inches so it's a complete bust in my eyes. You might as well call it a skunk. You are going to have to wait until midweek.
The Cascades performed as expected (5-6 inches at Baker) and overperformed a bit for Crystal (7-9). Temps are warming with increasing winds (Chair 6 is on wind hold at Crystal). It was cold last night with decent quality only to become more dense with warming temps. The webcam at Chair 6 at Crystal looks dreamy right now (Wind hold) showing 9-11 inches. I am not excited about the raindrops on the camera but can assure you there is decent deep cream up there right now.
The Cascades are on target per my original forecast. Heavy snow will be falling at the summits of most mountain ranges Saturday night (Mount Baker and Crystal may be favored over the central Cascades). The Good: Deep moisture and cool temps Saturday night (Snow levels 3500-4,000 north to south). The Bad: Evil spring warming begins Sunday morning around daybreak so it's possible that by the times the lifts open (AVY control- Delayed lifts) that the quality decreases.
The Extended forecast looks on track for a moderate to perhaps heavy event for much of the Rockies. The current models show significant warming for most of the mountains through Tuesday. The Tetons may nab 4-9 inches above 9,000 feet with rain elsewhere. Stay High!
Cooler air and moisture begin to put down better snowfall for Tuesday over Idaho and Wyoming (Snow levels 6500 to 7500). Moderate snow likely for the Wasatch Tuesday evening that may intensify by Wednesday morning. The models are still flip-flopping on totals. My forecast will call for 12 inches plus for the Wasatch by late Wednesday night with snow showers continuing into Thursday.
Moderate snow is showing up for Colorado for Wednesday-Thursday (Both late Wednesday and Thursday will offer powder days). I am not confident about who gets the highest amounts just yet. Telluride seems to be a solid contender as well as the areas around Aspen and further east towards the Front Range. On Thursday it's possible that the areas around the Denver Front Range (North to Boulder is favored) grab significant snowfall. This event may start out with NW winds favoring the western side of the Divide initially and switch to a more N or NE event for late Thursday (Front Range) and Friday. The models show a secondary low setting up over Colorado and New Mexico for Friday and Saturday (Eastern mountains ranges may see significant snow). Maybe Taos wins the game eventually? Bottom Line: You may be able to ride powder along I-70 Wednesday and Thursday west of the Divide and score some deepness near the Divide including New Mexico on Friday or Saturday.
Models will change!
More details later! Time to bike!
Powderchaser Steve
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Powderchaser Steve
