48-hour reported snow totals as of 7 AM Friday:

•    Big Sky 5 – 11” 
•    Lost Trail Pass 10”
•    Whitefish 6” 
•    Lookout Pass 6”
•    Montana Snowbowl 6”
•    Discovery 6”
•    Bridger Bowl 4” 
•    Blacktail Mountain 2” 
•    Showdown 3” 
•    Great Divide 1”  

Friday, March 29

The big picture weather story, an impressively deep upper-level trough off the West Coast continues to chug southeastward on Friday (and through the weekend), the Northern Rockies will reside under a related, but weaker trough keeping the skies cool and unsettled.

Friday will offer a drier mix of clouds, with only isolated snow showers along with sunny spells across the entire region. With afternoon heating, any isolated snow showers will be convective, so a quick, possibly thundery squall with trace amounts to an inch or two is slightly possible for the mountains on both sides of the Divide. 

Red Lodge, and perhaps Big Sky have the highest chances for a few inches under heavier afternoon snow showers Friday as colder and unstable air resides, especially across the Beartooths (Red Lodge).   

Friday’s upper mountain high temps will range from the upper 20s to low 30s across the region. Light SW winds, except gusty under any convective snow squalls. Enjoy these winter conditions while they last…

Saturday, March 30 – Sunday, March 31 

Over the weekend, the deep Pacific trough progresses south digging into southern California but will continue to spread its low-pressure influence via a SW flow directed into the Northern Rockies. Though mostly minor snow totals are likely across most of the mountains of Montana on Saturday and Sunday, SW Montana resorts Big Sky and Red Lodge may see slightly higher amounts. 

Saturday will bring numerous sunny spells thrown into a mostly/partly cloudy mix for the ski areas and resorts west of the Divide. Any afternoon snow shower activity will likely be concentrated south of I-90 at Disco and Lost Trail with minimal if any measurable snow. 

East of the Divide, mainly cloudy skies with a bit more numerous snow showers and squalls. Trace amounts to an inch will be possible at Big Sky, Showdown, and Bridger. Red Lodge under a colder airmass, could see slightly higher amounts of 1 - 3" inches on Saturday. 

On Sunday, a mix of sun and clouds across the skies west of the Divide, with increasing clouds east of the Divide. A storm system impacting Northern Wyoming looks to brush the Beartooths, where Red Lodge has an 80% chance of seeing periods of heavy snow by Sunday afternoon, continuing through Sunday night. Storm totals of 3 – 7” are possible by early Monday morning.  Monday looks optimistic for a powdery day on Red Lodge Mountain. 

Mountain temps across the Treasure State look to stay unseasonably cool this weekend, with upper elevations seeing afternoon highs in the low to mid-20s east of the Divide, and upper 20s to low 30s west of the Divide on both days.

Light north to NE winds will help keep it cool. The snow ‘preservation factor’ looks to be optimum for late March. 

 

Ensembles build back a high-pressure ridge on Monday that will dry the skies through Wednesday, at least. Temps will be on the rise upwards to above seasonal averages beginning on Monday. Spring conditions look to be in the cards, at least into Wednesday. 

A looming Gulf of Alaska upper-level low is gaining more confidence in the models and ensembles to bulldoze the springlike conditions beginning Wednesday night bringing back appreciable snowfall and winter-like temps to end the upcoming work week. SW Montana is looking once again for the highest probabilities for another late-season storm on Thurs/Friday. Stay tuned… 

Thanks for reading. The next update will be on Sunday morning. 

Powder Out - 

Bob 

NEW: Snow Ratio Forecast

You can now get a good idea of the upcoming snow quality for the next storm via our new "Snow Ratio" forecast for any location in OpenSnow.

When we talk about snow quality, such as “light and fluffy” or “heavy and wet”, we are talking about the snow-to-liquid ratio. The higher the snow-to-liquid ratio, the lighter the snow quality, and vice-versa.

1. Go to any location screen and tap the "Snow Summary" tab.
2. Scroll down to the 5-day hourly or 10-day forecast section.
3. View the 5-day hourly or daily "Snow Ratio" forecast for the next 10 days.

10:1 will be fun but will feel a little heavy. 15:1 will offer some faceshots and feel pretty light. 20:1 will be incredibly light, almost like skiing through nothing but air.

This new feature is currently available with the latest version of the OpenSnow iOS app installed (App Store > OpenSnow > Update) or on the OpenSnow website (OpenSnow.com). It will be available in the OpenSnow Android app soon.

View → Snow Ratio Forecast