Chase Powder Daily Snow
By Powderchaser Steve, Forecaster Posted 7 years ago February 21, 2017
COLDER TEMPS HAVE A GLIMMER OF HOPE FOR OUSTING THE CREAM!
Summary
Frustrating days have brought strong winds, dense cream, lift closures, road closures that may have some of you cringing for some turns. 3-5 feet has fallen in the Sierra and several feet has reaped rewards at Sun Valley and the Oregon Cascades. The Tetons are under the gun currently with over a foot of wind blasted powder at the summit where snow will continue today (Strong winds). I was at Sun Valley yesterday with 6-9 inches of decent quality powder at top (3 feet in the past 7 days), before winds and warming temps created havoc. Alpine Meadows and Squaw had RECORD WIND GUSTS OF 199 MPH AND 194 AT THE SUMMIT YESTERDAY! If you want decent powder your only hope today might be Mount Bachelor in Oregon where significant snow is falling with temps in the low 20s (Wind issues). There is light at the end of the tunnel as colder air is moving into the west today through Friday. Long term pattern looks cold and snowy so keep reading
Short Term Forecast
Heavy snow will continue in the Sierra today (Cooling by mid to late day) bringing snow levels to all bases. Winds will keep upper mountains closed until perhaps Wednesday or Thursday. Snow showers continue through the end of the week (Low intensity) that will hopefully allow some "catch up" for California resorts. It's storms like this that make chases impossible and frustrating at times. If your out there and have scored double digit powder face shots send us a comment as we would like to hear from you. Long term looks good for the Sierra so keep reading!
The Tetons and Wood River range (Sun Valley) should pick up another 5-10 inches today with strong winds, mixed precipitation at the bases before turning to all snow tonight. "I'm not sure it's worth the chase." Models show winds shifting westerly which will shut down snowfall near Sun Valley and push things into Northeast Idaho, Tetons, and eventually into the Wasatch by this evening.
The Utah mountains especially Cottonwoods stand the best chance of a double digit dump tonight through late Wednesday. Total snowfall for the Wasatch may end up in the 8-15 inch range through Friday (May be combination of 4-7 each day). The Tetons who grabbed significant wet snow might fare well for Wednesday with a butter smooth mountain (My assumption) getting frosted with 3-6 inches of blower pow tonight. It could produce the perfect top to bottom run Wednesday morning (not deep but perfect consistency). Chase to the Wasatch for some decent powder at higher elevations Thursday AM or again on Friday.
Colorado who got teased earlier this week (Beaver Creek- 9 inches) should finally get into the mix after midnight Wednesday and Thursday. Models show the perfect wind direction for surprise dumps (West/Northwest). Moisture is not great on the models but often cold air alone and the higher elevations of resorts in Colorado can reap rewards, My early guess is 6-10 inches for Steamboat (Perhaps higher amounts) and 3-6 elsewhere along or north of Interstate 70 through Thursday afternoon. The central mountains will see lighter amounts. Significant snow is likely along the Wyoming border so if you are traveling on Interstate 80 conditions may be difficult. Snow should continue in Colorado through Friday (Light to moderate intensity) so it's possible double digits gets hit in many areas but not in a single 24 hour period. Best chase days are Thursday mid morning (Storm ski) and 1st chair Friday. Conditions will be freshening each day!
Extended Forecast
Long term pattern through early March looks more typical of a winter pattern. Cold storms are likely to impact the Sierra late next weekend and drive snowfall into the Rockies next week. My confidence is high on a more chase worthy pattern and deep blower pow. My confidence is less on exact track of the storms once they depart the Sierra next week. Lets stay optimistic as the models come into consensus.
Below: Next Week GFS ensembles.
Powderchaser Steve
Announcements
THE AVALANCHE DANGER IS RISING SIGNIFICANTLY IN MANY AREAS THAT ARE EXPERIENCING DENSE SNOW AND WINDS. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO! STAY ALIVE FOR YOUR NEXT POWDER DAY!
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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