Chase Powder Daily Snow

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By Powderchaser Steve, Forecaster Posted 6 years ago February 18, 2018

EPIC ALERT! Holiday forecast grabs powder for nearly every resort in the Rockies and Cascades with up to 2-3 feet in some spots of Colorado by Tuesday night.

Summary

Heavy snow expected for most of the Panhandle of Idaho, Central Montana, Tetons, Utah, and eventually Colorado late Sunday-Tuesday. 1-3 feet are possible in many areas.

Short Term Forecast

Its Warren Miller's Memorial wishes!  Hit your favorite run on February 17th and share a photo #ripwarrenmiller on social media.  His desires were to skip a memorial service and let us rip the slopes on Saturday. This EPIC ALERT is dedicated to Warren Miller. I have chased powder for nearly 5 consecutive days logging over 50 inches. His chase lasted his lifetime!

Significant snow has fallen in isolated areas of the Cascades this morning.  Stevens Pass had 10 inches in just 4 hours making a very difficult drive up the pass this morning (Snowing 2-3 inches per hour).  Further south towards Crystal saw less snow (6 inches) with warming noted in all areas by 10AM today (30-32 degrees at the bases).  This created for great powder at the summits and surf snow down low.  Snow will pick up this evening with cold air bringing the snow level to sea level by Sunday. Some snow is possible in the foothills south or north of Seattle!  Expect 5-11 inches at Stevens tonight, 3-7 Baker and perhaps 4-9 inches at Crystal. Light snow will be falling into Sunday morning.    It's tough to predict where these cold bands will set up but it's likely someone in the Cascades nails a foot by mid day Sunday.  Sunday could be epic In spots with colder temps and less wind (Gusts today were in the 60-80 MPH range in the Cascades with several lift closures by noon). Look for openings on Sunday.

Reports from Montana Snowbowl (Just outside Missoula) were that 8-10 inches fell at the summit (Little Gem away from the crowds). Snow is going to continue at the Snowbowl tonight with another 5-10 inches for 1st chair on Sunday.  It's currently snowing 1 inch per hour looking at snow telemetry nearby.   Whitefish had 4-5 inches during the day per snow telemetry and should continue to see snowfall at a moderate clip tonight.  Most action in Montana will turn light after 3AM but it's going to continue to snow through Sunday morning. Big Sky should reap some moderate snowfall tonight and Sunday (5-10).

The Tetons nabbed 10 inches at the summit in 24 hours (3-5 lower faces) and continue to be downstream of good moisture.  Moderate snow with fairly warm temps will bring 5-9 inches tonight to the Tetons. Colder air works in by daybreak enhancing snowfall on Sunday (1-2 inches per hour at times) bringing an additional 4-7 inches during the day. Total snowfall in the Tetons through Sunday night will be 9-16 inches. (Warm followed by cold, Some wind tonight with drifting at the summits). Its going to be right side up (Dense followed by cold) and snowing heavily for 1st chairs on Sunday. The lower faces continue to improve at JHMR and could be epic for 1st Red on Sunday morning.

The Wasatch who scored big numbers on the last storm (We forecasted 3-6 inches that turned into 2 feet) will get the rewards Sunday morning (Northern areas near Logan), Sunday Mid Morning (Northern Wasatch Mountains- Snowbasin, Powder) and by noon in Park City and the Cottonwoods.  Heavy snow will be falling late Sunday through Monday with a cold front.  The moisture on the models looks to be 8-12 inches however cold air, possible lake effect and orographics should increase those amounts (High end 15-24 inches).  Aim for mid day and last chairs Sunday and 1st chair on Presidents Day. My confidence is very high for 8-12 inches in many areas of Utah (Park City included).  My confidence is moderate for 12-20 inches especially in the Cottonwoods south of the Great Salt Lake. Its also possible Sundance in the southern Wasatch score big numbers! 

Colorado will grab decent snow late Sunday-Tuesday.  Models show SW flow initially Monday with the southern San Juans (Wolf Creek, Purgatory, Silverton) picking up significant snow by last chair (12-20 inches possible).  Models also show heavy snow in the northern San Juans (Telluride) mostly occurring Monday late AM to Tuesday (Winds might shift somewhat to the N or NW that helps them).

On Monday other wildcards are Crested Butte, Aspen, and Steamboat (SW flow is going to pump moisture north favoring the south and western areas).  Late Monday into Tuesday cold air and a shift of north or NW wind direction should help ski areas further east along the I-70 corridor.  Aspen will continue a hefty fetch of snowfall as well as many resorts into Eagle and Summit County.  Areas north into Grand County (Winter Park) and Boulder (Eldora) should see powder days Tuesday and Wednesday. Expect a wide area of 6-12 inches for many resorts by Tuesday morning closer to the Front Range (I-70 corridor).  The heaviest snow totals through the storm period (Sunday night -Wednesday will still be found further west or south 2-3 feet).  Light snow may still be falling on Wednesday morning in Colorado. Resorts along I-70 will be best Late Monday or Tuesday.

Below: Total snowfall for Colorado through Wednesday morning.  The 36 inches is near Wolf Creek.

 

Extended Forecast

Some high pressure in the Pacific Northwest gives way to some light or moderate storm systems mid and late next week.  These should transition over the northern Rockies late next week.

Announcements

Special thanks to a highly recommended ski/snowboard shop in Seattle called Play It Again Sports

The continually impress me with a true passion for great gear and Tunes. I am picky!  They never disappoint!  Speak to the owner, and tell him we sent you.  

Thanks for following the Chase! 

Powderchaser Steve

About Our Forecaster

Powderchaser Steve

Forecaster

Powderchaser Steve has over 45 years of experience chasing storms based on his weather and local knowledge of resorts on both the East and West Coasts. His snow intel will likely land him at the deepest resort and almost never missing "First Chair" in the process. Follow "The Chase" on OpenSnow to find out where the deepest snow may be falling.

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