Chase Powder Daily Snow

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By Powderchaser Steve, Forecaster Posted 3 years ago February 16, 2021

Too Much Snow?

Summary

Quick update Tuesday morning with snow totals and tricky chase decisions, especially in Utah

Update

I feel good going into yesterdays forecast with very little snow being reported in Colorado on the eastern side of I-70 (2-4 inches) and much higher amounts further west especially south. Steamboat and Telluride reported 6 inches Tuesday morning with the short term high resolution models (HRR) showing another 4-7 possible during the day. The northern San Juans are really favored in this pattern. Silverton reported 15 inches. Powderhorn, Telluride, Silverton would be my top picks for Tuesday. 

Meanwhile in the PNW the storm is still underway with up to 17 inches being reported from Snohomish County through the southern Cascades (I-90 seems to have reaped the higher rewards from a convergence zone). Additional 4-7 inches are expected Tuesday. Crystal had 6 inches very late yesterday in just a 3 hour period so conditions there along with some new snow last night will be good. Crystal could score more snow in the current wind pattern on Tuesday. 

The big headlines are the Wasatch Range in Utah where up to 2 feet has fallen in Little Cottonwood Canyon with very strong winds. This is a storm that gives you tough decisions. I would avoid this chase due to wind blown snow, high avalanche danger, closed roads (Could be temporary- Unknown). Check out BCC, Powder Mountain, Canyons side of PCR, Snowbasin or other smaller resorts that picked up at least 10 inches last night. Take the safer bets for powder versus the waiting game at LCC and "What will open"  Little Cottonwood might not open on Tuesday. Even if it does, don't expect to be riding much terrain today or perhaps even on Wednesday. 

NW winds will decrease somewhat in the Wasatch with snow continuing through Wednesday. There will be some lulls in precipitation and a slight decrease in winds (Upper lifts are a wildcard). Another 12-22 inches is likely through Tuesday night. Storm totals will exceed 3-4 feet. If the winds decrease as expected you might see the Tram at Snowbird by noon with very limited terrain (Just a hunch). More than likely, some resorts in LCC will stay closed or open very limited terrain. 

The Tetons continue to score powder days with another 5-10 inches likely late AM Tuesday to early Wednesday. That would also be a good choice to chase powder, and a safe bet. 

Colorado will see another burst of snow Tuesday night into Wednesday with generally 3-6 inches along I-70, 4-9 perhaps further south, and a band that looks to set up near the Front Range Foothills.  This could produce higher amounts in Rocky Mountain National Park, Eldora, and perhaps WP, especially for Thursday morning powder. New Mexico is likely to score 6-12 inches late Wednesday to Thursday favoring Angel Fire and perhaps Taos. I think that is a chase worthy area to watch for Thursday morning. 


Enjoy the Powder everyone! 


Powderchaser Steve 

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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