We've been talking about as much powder as possible in the western US and if you've been following along, you know that there hasn't been much to talk about. Some areas have had sloshy conditions with rain falling as mid mountain, some areas haven't even seen an inch of snow in over a month, some areas are faring quite nicely. It really just depends on where you're at and what you like to ski on. In the coming weeks, much of the western US will face drier than normal conditions.
Powderchasers is in Austria right now chasing POW where over 5 feet has fallen in the last few days. We really wish we could send it over the US and Canada. We saw this storm coming and jumped on a flight with 12 hours notice and are hunkered down just south of Salzburg.
Below: Powderchaser Steve at Zauchensee Ski Resort -Austria. We have scored 2 days in a row with 15-20 inches (Dry snow). Follow @powderchasersteve via Instagram and @lstone84 (2 of our forecasters). We are both here in Europe for the week.
If you want to chase powder to the deepest spots and support our forecasts please join our Concierge program that starts at just $95 bucks. You can also donate here if you like our forecasts and want to feed our powder bank. We don't miss too many storms.
In the last 3-days, the only refreshes we saw were in the Cascades and Northern Rockies. Most recently, Colorado was just dumped on with areas like Wolf Creek reporting 14\" of new snow with many other areas getting between 3-5\" of fresh powder. Taos should end up with some decent snows today as the current storm moves out to expected free refills today and a lot of great powder tomorrow down in New Mexico. But aside from this, that's really all we have going for us in the coming days. Here's a look at the forecast through this weekend.
You can notice in the beginning of this frame that the storm near Colorado is pushing out while a ridge of high pressure build into much of the west for the remainder of this week and into the weekend. There is a little something something we're watching for the far PNW but with a ridge building, snow levels will be rising through the event.
Onshore flow will allow snow to begin this afternoon for the Cascades of Washington and Oregon. Snow levels will start low but gradually increase as the night goes on. The freezing level for much of the day Thursday will be around 3500 feet. Rising Thursday before falling again Thursday night. BC will also score powder especially on Friday. Here's a look at the expected snow to come between now and Friday morning.
If you go out early Thursday, you should be treated to some nice conditions near Stevens Pass and Mt. Baker but be aware of dense snow and possible rain at the bases. The Oregon Cascades won't see nearly as much snow but few inches is possible near Mt. Hood before things get warm. Canada could do well especially Whistler and areas near Revelstoke towards the end of the week (Friday to Saturday)
In the interior west, the Northern Rockies will see some fresh snow from the same onshore flow that is bringing the PNW some pow. Here's a look at totals expected from Wyoming to Idaho.
Overall not much snow is expected but if you're chasing or looking for the best pow, head towards Sweitzer or Bald mountain in Idaho.
Canada should do well with some active weather between now and Saturday. Areas around Whistler, Kicking Horse and Revelstoke should have some decent pow to play on by Friday. Interior Canada should also fare well with this incoming storm.
Looking into the long-term, we'll have to wait till the middle of the month for our pattern to change up and even then, not all mountains will be impacted. The one-month outlook for February is not exciting.
This shows that California, Arizona, New Mexico and SW Colorado is going to struggle for most of this month in terms of snowfall. The best chance of getting normal snow or above-normal snow will be in Montana. This isn't the greatest forecast but as powder chasers, we have to know where the deepest snow will be and also where it won't be.
For the northeast, what a few weeks it's been! Another storm is heading their way will more possible active weather in the 10-day period.
Some of those Vermont and northern New York ski areas will get some amazing snow between now and Saturday so the northeast is where it'll be awesome in the next 5 days or so.
Powderchaser Andy
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