Quick update for Friday morning.
Warming temps for this initial storm are going to keep snow amounts slightly lower in some areas with lower quality at the bases, even in the Rockies! Snow is falling currently in BC where temps will cool by Friday. Mount Baker and Whistler could be a top spot for Friday or Saturday (6-15). Schweitzer or areas north of Idaho in Canada might be a wildcard for late Saturday and early Sunday. The same goes for the northern Panhandle of Idaho and southern BC near the border (ID).
- The Sierra is still going to squeeze out the towels in a big way for Saturday/ Monday/Tuesday. Warm air Saturday will keep the best snow on the summits and less at the bases. Cooler air will make it to Tahoe by midday Saturday with better quality still falling. Mammoth might be a better bet due to higher elevations Sunday (summit will be closed). It's not a perfect storm due to winds and warmer temps. You might see 3 feet at the peaks of some of the Sierra by late Saturday or early Sunday (Southern areas favored).
The late Sunday/Monday event in the Sierra will be deep and colder! The issue is winds! Winds will be gusting on Sunday night and Monday. That might present wind holds in many areas but the quality of lighter density snow is enticing. I would hate to miss an opening on Monday. Tuesday could be equally good with additional snowfall. If the winds ease Monday it will be a perfect opening. Wednesday may also deliver in the Sierra.
In the Rockies, the decisions are very tricky. The Wasatch sees SW winds cranking moderate moisture for Park City, Deer Valley, Snowbasin, and Beaver Mountain. Big Cottonwood is also favored with that wind direction (Solitude). The issue is 7,000 to 8,000-foot snow levels bring rain to the lower elevation resorts. Upper mountains may ride decent at the above-mentioned resorts (Solitude may see all snow). Alta and the Bird see mainly snow but on the lower end of amounts. My forecast yesterday was 5-11 inches for Sunday (Most had 1-2 feet). I am sticking to my original forecast. The Tetons may see higher amounts at the summit of JHMR (Warm at the base) Sunday. Cold air is at the doorstep of the Montana Snowbowl for Sunday morning (5-11). It's possible that if you chase north quality ends up decent in Montana where it's neighbors to the south grab the mank (Cold air is just at ther border with Missoula). Sun Valley will get deep Saturday/Sunday especially at the summits (Warm initially but cooling). Brundage is a wildcard. Bridger and Big Sky will see light to moderate snow Sunday with cooler temps. There is no perfect chase for the Rockies this weekend, however many areas will see decent snowfall at the summits. The Monday-Wednesday timeframe may deliver better quality.
In Colorado, the San Juan mountains are favored for the Sunday-Monday timeframe. Snow will be falling as you get the resorts Sunday with some light accumulations. Moderate snow will be in the cards for midday with 5-10 inches at Wolf Creek, Purgatory and Silverton. Telluride is a wildcard due to unfavorable wind direction (4-7). Even resorts like Aspen and Steamboat will grab snow with southerly or SW winds pushing precip north (3-5). Crested Butte is also in the mix (3-5)
The 2nd storm to hit CA on Sunday PM-Tuesday will be colder and deliver a better shot of quality snowfall for the Rockies.
Much of the moisture will get squeezed out in CA, however, it's likely that a foot or more fall in some spots in Utah, Wyoming, Colorado at some point between Tuesday and Thursday (Colorado may nab powder days late Tuesday and early Wednesday). Quality will be good! Updated: Timing is slowing, so even Thursday may deliver a good day for Coloradol
Powderchaser Steve.
