Wednesday, April 17 – Friday, April 19

The Andesite snow plot at the top of the Ramcharger 8 chair at 0700 on Wednesday. Get ready to shred.  

The snow wanes a bit and becomes more showery in nature beginning Wednesday morning. The cold northerly winds aloft will help keep the skies unsettled through the day as the storm recedes, adding another 1 – 2” across the resort.  

Unseasonably cool on Wednesday, with alpine highs in the upper teens at 9000’. Winds will be light from the north with ridgetop gusts to 20 mph. Dress appropriately.  

SW Montana will remain under the influence of an upper trough on Thursday and Friday. Northerly winds will keep the temps unseasonably cool both days along with mostly unsettled skies but a few sunny spells are likely on Thursday.

By Friday, a weak disturbance brings better chances of snow showers with some minimal accumulations of an inch or two (20%) possible. 

Daily alpine highs at 9000’ hover around 20F on both days. Light northerly winds on Thursday, and again on Friday. 

Saturday, April 20 – Sunday, April 21 

An upper ridge is favored to build into the Western US over the weekend. This will dry the skies, add a few degrees to the temps, and deliver a bit more sun to the mix, especially on Saturday. A freeze/thaw regime will likely start on Saturday. 

By Sunday, a weak wave may graze SW Montana clouding up the skies and bringing back some high-elevation snow showers. Temps will finally reach seasonal mid-April levels on Sunday. Freeze/thaw conditions. 

Looks like the upper ridge is favored to hang on into Tuesday but with some overriding spring showers. This forecast below is for the 9000' elevation (essentially, the top of Andesite) at Big Sky. 

Many thanks for reading this season!

Unless we get a major change (to a stormier pattern) in the extended outlook, my next post will be on Monday 4/22.  

Powder Out –

Bob 

Montana Ski Areas & Resorts Geographical References 

WEST of the Divide: 

Whitefish Mountain Resort   - CLOSED for the Season   

Blacktail Mountain  - CLOSED for the Season.

Turner Mountain  - CLOSED for the Season.  

Lookout Pass – Reopens Weds 4/17, then daily until final day on 4/21    

Montana Snowbowl –CLOSED for the Season

Ski Discovery  -  CLOSED for the Season

Lost Trail Powder Mountain  - CLOSED for the Season   

EAST of the Divide:

Big Sky Resort – OPEN Daily / Closing Day 4/28

Bridger Bowl  - CLOSED for the Season.   

Red Lodge Mountain – CLOSED for the Season.  

Great Divide  - CLOSED for the Season.

Showdown  - CLOSED for the Season.   

Teton Pass Ski Area  -  CLOSED for the Season.  

Maverick Mountain  - CLOSED for the Season.  

Backcountry Avalanche Reports:

West Central Montana Avalanche Center

http://missoulaavalanche.org 

Flathead Avalanche Center

http://www.flatheadavalanche.org

Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center:

http://www.mtavalanche.com

Summer Weather: How To Use OpenSnow

As the snow begins to melt and summer conditions quickly take over, remember that you can use OpenSnow as your go-to weather app during the non-winter months.

Get started by going to...

1. Favorites > Weather
2. Location > Weather
3. Maps > Weather

Switch to using your "Summer" favorites list, check the "Weather" tab on both the Favorites screen and any location screen, and avoid poor air quality & incoming storms with our summer-focused map layers in the OpenSnow app.

You can also view the hourly forecast for the next 10 days for any location on Earth in OpenSnow.

1. Go to the "Maps" tab.
2. Tap anywhere or search for a city.
3. Tap "View Forecast".

View → Summer Forecasts