Chase Powder Daily Snow

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By Powderchaser Steve, Forecaster Posted 6 years ago October 8, 2017

Who is ready for some "white stuff" in the Denver metro area and adjacent foothills? Snow will be falling over much of Colorado tonight and Monday.

Summary

Light snow is falling over much of central Idaho, and western Wyoming that eventually intensifies with cold air over Colorado tonight and Monday. Most mountains of Colorado will earn moderate snow totals with the highest along or east of the Continental Divide (12 inches plus). Most of the ski areas will pick up snowfall with cold air orographics so no losers on this storm however the highest amounts will be found near Wyoming and areas in the eastern foothills.

Short Term Forecast

Decent moisture and very cold temperatures are currently working there way down from the northern Rockies which will intensify as it works it's way towards south east Wyoming and most of the mountains from Fort Collins through the Denver Metro area foothills.  Light to moderate snow is currently falling over many areas of Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho while a cold front moves into Colorado late tonight.  Here is a current picture from the base of Grand Targhee Ski area this morning with light snow currently falling.

Here is a look at the powder cam at Brundage Resort in Idaho where light snow is falling. 

Snow will intensify over southern Wyoming tonight creating white out conditions along Interstate 80 near Laramie and move south into most of the mountains of Colorado tonight and Monday morning.  Winds are from the North/Northeast which will favor areas just west of Fort Collins, Rocky Mountain National Park, Front range Denver foothills, and south through Pikes Peak near Colorado Springs.  Expect 7-14 inches in these areas by mid Monday morning (Time to snowshoe and grab those cross country skis).  Snow will be falling in the metro areas especially near Boulder with perhaps 5-10 inches.  Ski resorts favored by these pattern are closer to the eastern sections of the mountain ranges.  We think Eldora is highly favored and areas like Loveland and perhaps Monarch are 2nd picks.  Sometimes easterly flow reaches areas like Salida and Georgetown and decrease as you get into higher elevations. Regardless, Models are showing a wide area of snowfall including the western mountains of Colorado where our custom forecast is calling for 4-8 inches (Many resorts along or west of the Continental Divide).  Models are showing a chance of higher amounts near Glenwood Springs (Sunlight) or Aspen however its a wildcard due to poor wind direction. Cold air orographics will keep snow showers going over most of the Interstate 70 corridor through Monday afternoon. The good:  Most of Colorado will see snowfall from this storm. The bad: Areas closer to the foothills near Boulder, Fort Collins and Denver will see the highest amounts. Its possible that orographics put up more impressive numbers west of the Divide than models are forecasting (4-8 is likely with higher amounts possible).

Snow will also be falling over northern New Mexico where the ski areas will pick up light or moderate snow (eastern areas favored). 

In Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park and areas west and north of Fort Collins closer to Wyoming will see significant snowfall.

Below: Late Sunday night cold front and heavy snow moving into northern Colorado- Image: Meteostar

Below: Total snowfall over Colorado through late Monday (Arrow- Front range foothills- higher amounts noted north towards the Wyoming border)

Extended Forecast

The long term models are showing additional cold fronts and moisture likely for the Pacific Northwest mid this week.  Snow is likely again in the Rockies perhaps by next weekend?  Stay tuned to the "The Chase Forecast" for the regional update on where to find the deepest snow. 

Powderchaser Steve 

Announcements

Get your snow tires on early this season!  As the official forecaster of the "The Chase" I depend on them every season!  All season tires will get you by but do not compare in my book to a snow specific tread pattern.  We chase powder so getting to the slopes for first chair puts my vote for snow specific tread!  

 

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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