Banner Summit Backcountry Courtesy of Sawtooth Mountain Guides

Today

‘First tracks’ skiers and riders will be greeted with a brisk morning as temperatures range from 3 to 7 degrees up on the mountain this morning.  It will warm into the 20's this afternoon with amazing snow conditions as we await the next storm. Here’s how it looks from space on the GOES-WEST Satellite.  See the wave off the British Columbia Canada Coast (in Dark Gray and Blue colors).

NOAA’s GOES-WEST Water Vapor Satellite Loop

Sunday through Tuesday February 28

Below is a computer model depiction of how that storm will sag into the region from Sunday through Tuesday morning to finish out the month with another significant snowfall event. 

GFS Computer Model Depiction of Sunday-Tuesday Storm (in Blue Colors)

Highest amounts will be on Sunday and Monday with breezy winds accompanying a weak cold front. 6  to 12“ of new snow will fall by Tuesday morning with refills on Tuesday afternoon that will double that at Schweitzer and Brundage – as well as the backcountry.

GFS Total Snowfall for Friday through Tuesday Morning: 

6 to 12” (in Purple colors)

Speaking of backcountry, take a look at the forecast below for the Sawtooth Mountains near Galena Summit. The University of Utah’s down-scaled solution puts a solid foot of cold powder up there between now and Saturday.

Courtesy University of Utah NAEF Down-scaled forecast

Titus Study Plot in Sawtooths

Thursday March 2 through Saturday March 4

Cold, northwest flow will moderate through the extended period into more of a westerly pattern. This transisition will bring more snow to the mountains, especially in the Panhandle at Schweitzer and Silver Mountains.

Next weekend will bring increased chances of snow to all of the state, including the Central and Boise Mountains.  Although details are still sketchy this far out, this signal has been showing up for the past week or so. Confidence is relatively high that we will see 24-hour snow totals for Friday and Saturday March 3^rd – 4^th   around 8 to 12”.

GFS Computer Model 24 hour Snowfall Friday through Saturday March 4

 

Sunday March 5 through Friday March 10

NOAA's Climate Prediction Center is still expecting cooler-than-normal temperatures (in Blue colors)  and higher-than-normal precipitation (in Green colors), especially for the northern half of Idaho.

 

Heads up: Winds from every direction this week have produced moderate to considerable avalanche danger. Be sure to check out the updated conditions from the Payette and Sawtooth Avalanche Centers before venturing out of bounds.

Here’s a look at a slab avalanche from the Soldier Mountains yesterday:

Photob y Ringenburg courtesy Sawtooth Avalanche Center

 

Thanks for reading. Race you to the ski hill, Boise

Coleen

Today: USASA Cross Race at Bogus Basin

Today: Snowball Special Fatbike Race Sun Valley 

Sunday: She Jumps "Get the Girls Out"! at Schweitzer

 

Pre-Season Pass Sales are underway NOW!

 

Geography Key:     

West Central Mountains
Bogus Basin, Brundage Mountain, Tamarack, McCall

Boise Mountains

Idaho City, Banner Ridge, Lowman

Central Mountains, Sawtooth Mountains, and Wood River Valley
Sun Valley, Soldier Mountain

Panhandle/Coeur d’Alene Mountains

Schweitzer, Silver Mountain