After an auspicious start to the Fall with several snowstorms in September, Mother Nature has pumped the brakes lately here in Utah.  Plenty of snowfall in the Pac NW and western Canada, but very little has made it far enough south to give us anything.  Today (Friday), however, we will have a weak trough push through and bring us a chance for mountain snow showers this afternoon and tonight.  Rain showers below 7000 feet.  Accumulations will be light with perhaps an inch or two in the high elevations.  

Later this weekend into next week we will see a ridge of high pressure really take control.  Warming temps, with record highs possible along the west coast.  Here is a look at the ridge in the ensemble mean heights: 

 Late next week we could see a few weak systems brush us to the east as they drop down into the central plains.  Any significant snow looks unlikely, probably thru the end of October.  

As we head into November, we have to hope the pattern changes if we are going to hit some of the earlier scheduled opening dates.  Right now there are a few indications that the Rex block ridge in the Gulf of AK will elongate far enough north to be undercut during the first few days of November.  This could lead to some healthier storms.  

No need to panic just yet.  Last year we basically had zero snow on the ground in mid-November and we all know how that turned out in the end.  Early season conditions can turn around very quickly with a good storm cycle.  I'll keep an eye out, as always, and keep you posted.

Evan | OpenSnow