Chase Powder Daily Snow

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By Powderchaser Steve, Forecaster Posted 6 years ago December 3, 2017

Decent freshies for northern Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and a glimmer of hope far northern Colorado

Summary

Eight inches of snow is being reported on Sunday morning at Schweitzer in the Panhandle of Idaho. Webcams at Brundage, Idaho (not open) show nearly 10 inches. Heavy snow is going to break out over most of Idaho Sunday and move into the Tetons this on Sunday night with 8-10 inches. I expect decent amounts for Big Sky and Red Mountain Lodge in Montana as well as the northern and central Wasatch range in Utah. Colorado only offers a chance of a respectable dump In the far north with perhaps Steamboat as a wildcard. And the northern Sierra in California got teased with 2-3 inches.

Short Term Forecast

While the snow forecast for the Pacific Northwest models have decreased with perhaps 2-4 inches in the cards for many mountain locations of Washington and Oregon, most of the action through Monday will be over the Rockies.

Highlights

Central Idaho will be deep by late Sunday (10 inches at Brundage as of 8AM), where spots closer to Sun Valley will see lighter amounts (wind direction is not favorable).

The Tetons get teased with 2-5 inches by closing Sunday (last chair may be your best bet) and another 3-6 Sunday night. Winds from the southwest will favor Jackson Hole on Sunday and then winds from the northwest could bring a good powder day to Grand Targhee on Monday!

Southern Montana might see 6-11 inches especially near Big Sky.

The Good: Cold and decent-quality powder with light winds and high confidence on snow totals.

The Bad: Snow totals will be split between daytime and nighttime so the dream of a double digit overnight dump may not happen.

Utah

Will finally get into the action late Sunday through Monday.

Models show a wide area of 7-12 inches for most of the northern Wasatch mountains by Monday morning.

It's possible that northern Wasatch areas like Beaver Mountain, Powder Mountain, and perhaps Snowbasin (wildcard) will initially report higher snow amounts.

Winds from the northwest on Monday morning may bring on another 3-5 inches in the Cottonwood Canyons (Little Cottonwood favored) by noon Monday and total snowfall in the Cottonwoods may run 12-16 inches. 

Park City mountains should see 5-10 inches with higher amounts on the Canyons side of PCMR (prefer NW flow) and less towards Park City proper and Deer Valley. 

The Good: Sunday night healthy dump.

The Bad: Low Tide!

Colorado

Will be on the southern fringe of the moisture with perhaps your best chance of moderate snowfall over Steamboat (4-7) due to favorable winds from the west-northwest, and this might include Vail Pass as well. Areas in the central and southern mountains will see less, perhaps in the 2-4 inch range. 

Image: The latest HRRR model showing total snow accumulations increasing across the Rockies (through Sunday evening).

Extended Forecast

The West will dry out with a strong high pressure ridge in place until at least mid December. 

The East coast will get a tease (snow & rain) by Thursday with much colder air behind this storm. Models show a possible deep and cold system by next weekend which has the potential to bring double digits to many spots in the Northeast! The extended forecast is worth watching.

Below: December 10th GFS Ensemble showing a strong ridge of high pressure in the west (dry weather) with a trough of low pressure in the east (cold air and snow possible).

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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