The chases today would have been the PNW where up to 3-4 feet of snow fell in the past 48 hours. Colder air kept densities a bit lighter in the central and northern Cascades (Baker, Stevens, Alpental) where slightly warmer conditions put some upside down layering at Crystal (Still deep and super fun). I believe that resorts along I-90 (Alpental and Snoqualmie) never opened to due the highway remaining closed. Snow showers continue in the Northwest tonight for Washington favoring the central or northern regions (Baker could score another 4-7 inches). In Oregon, amounts will be heavier (5-10). Chase north in WA or anywhere along the Cascades of OR tonight.
Other chases: Forget the Sierra, as an atmospheric river of very moist air, and significant wind and snow will be falling mid-week. Significant warming will be followed by cooling late week. My eyes are on Idaho (Storm ski) for Wednesday (Brundage, central panhandle and perhaps Sun Valley). Montana may also score near Missoula or the central panhandle (Idaho).
Snow will be falling in the Tetons (Heavier by PM Wednesday) and moderately in the Wasatch (PM). SW winds will pump ample moisture north into Wyoming Wednesday night while Utah also scores decent amount favored by S or SW flow (Big Cottonwood, Deer Valley, Sundance, Snowbasin). All higher peaks (Warm system) in Utah should nab 10-20 inches at some point before late Thursday. Wyoming should see similar amounts. Some snow may linger into Friday.
The chase to Colorado will favor Thursday storm skiing in the central or southern mountains (CB, Aspen, Telluride, Wolf Creek). Snow will intensify late Thursday into Friday where some resorts are likely to score 10-18 inches of powder (Wed and Thursday combined). I like the odds of Aspen, Crested Butte, Silverton, Purg, Wolf, and Telluride for Friday morning. Telluride is a wildcard due to unfavorable wind direction (Moisture may still be significant). Steamboat is in the mix with SW winds pushing ample moisture to Rabbit Ears Pass and the ski area late Wednesday into Thursday.
For the remaining areas of Colorado along I-70 or east look for 4-8 inches or more by Friday morning. Plan on checking my updated forecast on Wednesday or Thursday for a more accurate synopsis. Friday will be a powder day in many areas of Colorado by Friday morning. I hope to increase my snow totals for the resorts along I-70 or east of Aspen.
Powderchaser Steve
