Models played out exactly as forecasted on my update yesterday. Snow started falling in the northern Colorado mountains around 7 PM and continued near Steamboat through press time today (13 overnight- 17-inch storm total). I positioned in Kremmling last night in order to chase the I-70 corridor if needed. The 4 AM wake-up call verified my hunch (8 inches at the Steamboat Cam) with radar looking promising. My 91 Audi (Oldest of the fleet) chugged over Rabbit Ears Pass with heavy snow falling and reduced Vis. Rewards of 10-13 inches were waiting this morning with just enough density to cover up the bumps. The next 24-36 hours remains VERY active for Colorado.
Your best odds of scoring powder will be along or south of I-70 this afternoon and tonight. The Southern or central mountains may actually win the game with my best forecast of up to 25 inches in the southern mountains (Wolf, Purg, Silverton) and 15-20 in the central mountains (Crested Butte, Aspen, Monarch Pass, Ski Cooper, Monarch). Telluride is a strong wildcard (Technically is the northern San Juan range) with models pointing to 7-12 inches Saturday night. Areas along I-70 are also looking really good through Monday with 9-14 inches likely. Bottom Line: Keep riding if you are at Steamboat Saturday. Chase south to I-70 for Sunday with the deepest amounts along or just south of the Interstate. The deepest totals will likely range from Crested Butte and areas south. Aspen will not be far behind! Highest intensity snow falls from 4 PM Saturday to 1 AM Sunday.
Image: Averages of multiple models showing very significant snowfall for Wolf Creek Pass through Tuesday morning with the highest jump late tonight. Mean is 20 inches through Sunday night and an additional 7-9 inches Monday/Tuesday.
Below: Total snowfall for Vail Pass through Tuesday with a mean average of 10-20 inches. There will be a good push tonight or early Sunday with steady light or moderate bursts into Tuesday. These are often over done with totals, but give us a good signal for deep snow!
Snow showers continue in Colorado Sunday (2-5 additional at upper elevations). Additional light or moderate snow is also likely Tuesday.
Elsewhere in the West, it's DITTO for the Sierra tonight into Sunday (6-11 additional) with 7,000-foot snow levels. This storm will favor the southern Sierra and could be really good for Mammoth (Higher elevations will help).
In Utah light to moderate hum, ho snow will continue into Sunday. Winds are still favoring the Wasatch Back (Park City, Deer Valley, Brighton, Snowbasin) over Little Cottonwood. Another 4-9 inches is likely through Sunday night favoring the above-mentioned resorts. Sunday will be a repeat powder day similar to today. Even Beaver Mountain who we mentioned in our post yesterday edged out Alta this morning (3 inches). More significant snow will be falling in Southern Utah so consider a chase to Brian Head or Eagle Point for Sunday morning. In the north, it's possible that Park City edges out the Cottonwoods again tonight.
Next week looks moist for California and especially midweek for Utah. Temps will flip flop between warmish to Downright warm in the Wasatch. Colder temps are likely late next week improving quality. Some of this moisture will dump additional snow over Colorado and even north into the Tetons midweek. Its posisble that as snow is falling it will drive the temps down providing good quality hero snow to the bases. Some rain is likley mixed in for the lower elevation resorts below 7500.
Enjoy the powder everyone.
Powderchaser Steve
