The Sierra delivered last night with 10 inches since the lifts closed at Squaw (Unofficial report from the snow telemetry) and 6 inches on Friday (Storm total 16 inches). It's cold and quality will be very high! Mammoth on the other hand may have been on the short side (Telemetry is not showing much new snow). It's possible the telemetry is not working- not sure. Most of the northern Sierra will wake up to a great powder day Friday.
In the Rockies heavy bands of snow are falling over the Wasatch (Started around 4:30 AM) where minor amounts have accumulated in many areas. Peak snowfall will occur near daybreak or mid morning when an epic burst of 2-3 inch per hour rates will slam the Wasatch Range through Noon. Some snow showers will linger into the afternoon (Storm totals 4-9 inches- Northern Wasatch, Park City, 5-11 inches- Central Wasatch (Alta-Solitude) and 3-7 inches Southern Wasatch (Sundance). Suggest you storm ski amidst heavy winds and perhaps some lift closures at upper elevation resorts Friday morning. The Tetons grab 3-6 inches on Friday (Ho hum compared to the 12-13 days of powder in the past few weeks).
Colorado may have come up short in the San Juans. Snow telemetry shows 4-6 inches near Wolf Creek (Unofficial) and Taos is reporting 7 inches this morning (Official report). Models are not very bullish for any significant amounts Friday however snow will continue through the morning hours. The models are pushing moisture in Colorado north on Friday with very strong winds. General trend is 3-7 inches for the I-70 corridor with a few models showing higher amounts possible near Steamboat, Aspen, and even the Divide Resorts near the Eisenhower Tunnel and Breckenridge (Outside chance of higher amounts). Some resorts might be limited on certain lifts due to winds so Saturday could offer some fresh untouched snow. Look for some surprises near Monarch and perhaps Ski Cooper as well (Just a hunch per the models).
The PNW will grab it's last storm Friday night into Saturday. Models are showing most of the moisture in the northern Zones near Mount Baker (10 inches likely tonight) including southern BC near Whistler. The Euro on the other hand has a good dose of powder both north and south including Crystal and White Pass. It's possible that Saturday offer relatively deep snow for the southern and northern areas. Temps are warming so it's going to be upside down (Cold to warm). Levels rise from 1500 feet to 3,000 feet in many areas (Still respectable). Be in position Saturday morning. Whistler and Baker might win the game.
Additional snow for the Sierra Tuesday that moves into the Rockies mid next week. These appear to be moderate events.
Powderchaser Steve
