There was no AM post today due to an early morning chase to Sun Valley this morning. 15 inches of blower pow fell by 3 PM today (5 overnight- 10 during the day). Idaho is well into the spotlight for the next several days with model data showing another 7-11 inch likely by Sunday morning for Sun Valley. Brundage may see lighter amounts but scored 9 inches today. It's rare to get SV with super cold conditions and blower pow. Winds are from the S, SE that really favor the Wood River Valley.
Below: Ketchum Idaho (Sun Valley) with 15 inches since Friday night.
The Cascades saw blower pow (Sea level snow) with 10 -14 inches at Crystal and 9-10 at Bachelor. Seattle saw their average annual snowfall in just 1 day with around 6-7 inches at the airport this morning. More snow is in the forecast for the Cascades Monday/Tuesday.
The Sierra grabbed around 7-9 inches today with winds on the increase for Saturday night. Heavy snow will be falling over most of the north and south Sierra tonight into early Sunday. Expect 20-25 inches new by Sunday AM. Winds will decrease after mid-morning or early afternoon. Ridge gusts Saturday night will be in excess of 100 MPH so its likely snow quality will have some impacts in exposed areas, and significantly increasing avalanche danger. It's a gamble if any upper terrain will open on Sunday. Lower elevations are likely to open in the AM with upper lifts most likely on hold initially.
Below: Total snowfall for the Sierra through Sunday morning. Amounts will be higher due to cold temps and higher moisture to snow ratios.
Chases to the Wasatch would be a great bet for Sunday/Monday. Snow is falling in the Wasatch currently but will subside tonight with an increase again late Sunday. 2-5 inches may fall before 8 PM Saturday at many locations in Utah. Snow increases again Sunday before the lifts close. Heavy snow will be falling in the Wasatch range through Monday morning. Expect 6-10 inches for Park City, Powder, and perhaps higher amounts for Snowbasin or Deer Valley with SW winds. In the Cottonwoods, it's likely Big Cottonwood scores 11-17 inches by Monday morning. Some light snow will continue Monday.
The Tetons seem to score a longer duration snow event. Snow will be falling Saturday night into Sunday with 3-6 inches likely by mid-morning. Heavier snow will fall late Sunday into Monday with another 5-10 inches by PM Monday. Moisture seems to get hung up in the Tetons all week with several periods of light to moderate snowfall. There may be no single deep event like we saw last week, but the sum totals will exceed 2-3 feet by Thursday. The town of Jackson may end with 12-16 inches long term.
Colorado, unfortunately, gets the squeezed out moisture early Monday morning (Some freshies for first chair Monday). Moderate to heavy bands of snow with a cold front will kick off 3-6 inches for most of the mountains of central and northern Colorado. Models look pretty weak, however, orographics may deliver some surprises. Late week may offer some deepness!
In the long range, a decent cold system moves into the southern Cascades of WA and most of Oregon Monday. Decent moisture once again impacts central and southern Idaho late Monday and Tuesday (Amounts may be significant). The Sierra grabs a warmer storm midweek! That storm moves over the Rockies with lots of moisture, warmer temps, and significant snow likely for many areas. The Wasatch, Wyoming, Idaho, Southern Montana, and Colorado may score big time Wednesday night to Friday. Colorado will be in the Thursday-Friday period.
Below: Dreaming powder! Total moisture in the west by late next week! Nearly everyone scores! This includes moisture from the current storms beginning 11 AM Saturday.
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Powderchaser Steve
