Happy Turkey Day!  This will be an abbreviated post as it's 3 AM and I'm looking at models. 3 decent events occur beginning this weekend in the PNW and Canada. That migrates to the Rockies favoring ID, MT, WY, UT, and Colorado. There will be short breaks between them with additional snow every 24-48 hours. The midweek system looks a bit deeper for the PNW once again dragging over the Rockies. Then another system plows ashore late in the week, with even another possible early the following week. You can chase powder beginning this weekend in BC, or the PNW, early next week in the northern Rockies (Monday/Tuesday), and repeat it all over again mid or later next week. Base depths are still thin in the PNW at lower elevations due to warmer temps on earlier storms, however, it's possible the summit of Whistler and certain resorts in the northern Cascades and in Oregon have decent totals. Unfortunately, lower elevations have seen rain recently with the exception of Stevens Pass (Colder on the last storm).  My advice is to wait it out as next week will be a game changer for the PNW with 2-4 feet of snowfall. Keep an eye on base depths and make the call to chase as conditions improve. Canada will see lower amounts, however respectable, especially on the western side of BC. By mid to late week, you will see game-changing totals, especially in the PNW, and western BC.

Interior BC and Alberta will also see decent totals albeit lighter than the west. The northern Rockies including Utah, Wyoming, isolated areas of Montana, and western Colorado have better overall snowpack, especially in the central Wasatch where some resorts are near 100 inches YTD. 

Below: Possible storm totals through Wednesday afternoon (A combination of a moderate system this weekend and early next week, and the midweek storm. With colder temps and higher snow ratios, the amounts might exceed these totals somewhat. Southern New Mexico could score! 

Below: Looking out to next weekend (7-10 days) has lower confidence, however, I am sharing the map with the message that snow will continue to fall in the west late next week adding to the snowpack as a 3rd system comes ashore late next week. Someone is likely to report a 3-4 foot weekly total. Good confidence for the PNW, Canada, North/central Idaho, Northern Montana, Tetons, Wasatch, and a wide area of Colorado. SE New Mexico is lighting up with deep totals (Ski Apache could score). 

Below: OpenSnow ensembles (Water) for Stevens Pass show a comparison of the European model (Blue) and the American model (Red) in that 4-5 inch range for water spread out over 3 storms that begin this weekend. The map takes you to next Saturday 12/3. Bottom Line: Good amount of precipitation spread over 3 storms that begins this weekend and might peak midweek with lingering snowfall continuing late week (Map is through next Saturday, December 2nd). Totals will likely be in the 2-3 foot range going a bit conservative. 

Below: JHMR is likely to nab 1-1.5 inches of water. With colder temps and high snow ratios, this could equivocate to 2-foot plus storm totals through the end of next week. Snow peaks Monday and again midweek and continues albeit lighter late week. The map takes you to December 2nd (Saturday). 

Below: Solitude shows similar amounts on the ensembles as the Tetons, but my gut tells me that the Cowboy State might outperform with a bit more moisture aimed at Wyoming. The deeper periods are likely to be late Monday or mid-next week with storm #2 and continued snowfall late next week (Map to December 2nd). 

In looking at the Sierra, the American model shows that storm #3 towards the end of next week might dig a bit further south into that region, while the Euro still shows most of the energy staying north. It's too far out to predict with accuracy. 

Below: The late-week system might edge a bit further south providing a better chance of snow for the Sierra. 

It's likely that we see a continued trend for some additional snow as we continue into the 1st week of December with some additional systems showing up in the December 4-7 timeframe. Let's hope the models hold up. 

Below: Low pressure is expected to linger as we look at the extended Heights for December 5th-6h early in week #3 for the forecast (Low confidence this far out). Bottom Line: Expect snowfall next week to linger into the following with a low expectation at this point on who sees the most snow. 

Thanks for following the Chase! You can follow my Instagram feed at @powderchasersteve for the latest in adventure travel and snow. 

Chase wisely next week! You can score several times, but the trick is to pick resorts with better bases, and new openings, and in some cases wait it out until mid or late week when storm totals build up. 

Powderchaser Steve - Happy Turkey Day