In Colorado 5-7 inches fell in the Aspen and Crested Butte ranges (10-14 in the past 48) with 10-15 inches noted in the southern ranges (Purgatory, Silverton etc.). Some areas in the southern mountains are approaching 30 inches. Dense snow and snow levels near 7500 or 8K feet have created extreme avalanche danger.  Generally 2-5 inches fell along I-70 with higher amounts just south. 

Below: Special bulletin issued by the Colorado Avalanche Center on Wednesday

Please stay out of the backcountry today, especially the San Juan Range (Dense snow, wind, significant 3 day totals) as I want you to keep reading these forecasts. 

The models show another 5-10 inches possible for the central or southern regions of Colorado Wednesday with the action picking up along I-70 favoring the western corridor (Beaver Creek, Vail). It's possible that we finally grab some decent quality by later Wednesday or early Thursday as the temps come down. As of Wednesday morning Aspen was 32 degrees in town so the snow is likely on the surfy side (CB is 28 degrees at the base). The NAM 12 is highlighting some heavy snowfall near Rabbit Ears Pass Wednesday. 

Below: Strong winds noted (Sustained in the 40's to 50's at 10K) feet over southern Colorado Wednesday morning (Extreme avalanche conditions). Stay out of the backcountry! 

Below: You can see the colder air moving into Colorado by late Wednesday evening as the snow is tapering, but some snow showers might continue along the Divide. This is typical of these warm atmosphere rivers with wet warm density snow (SW flow) followed by cold fronts as the moisture gets wrung out. 

If you are chasing powder in Utah the repeat game of 4-8 inches happened again with Deer Valley leading the pack up north (9 inches) and Eagle Point with 10 inches in the south. The PCMR range and LCC have reported similar numbers Wednesday with SW flow pushing decent sub double digits to these areas for the past 2 days. The models show another strong band of snow moving in late AM Wednesday with heavy bursts of snowfall extending from the Cottonwoods north to Powder Mountain. This bands could bring several inches in a short period of time Wednesday. An additional 4-9 inches Is likely Wednesday night. Some models show heavier snowfall north of the I-80 towards Snowbasin and Powder for Wednesday night (There has been a lot of discrepancies). Look for generally 5-10 additional in the Wasatch Wednesday night with some upside. 

Below: Additional snowfall is still decent (5-11 inches) for much of Colorado favoring areas south of I-70. While the cold air is slowly approaching there may be an uptick near Vail Pass and even Steamboat on Wednesday. Aspen would be a decent pick. 

The chase will continue into Thursday with another round of moderate snow for the Wasatch, slightly colder temps, and improving quality. The Tetons are still grabbing as forecasted 3-5 inches every 24 hours. On Wednesday night it's possible that 4-7 inches grab the Tetons favoring JHMR for the morning report. 

While it's not a perfect storm, Utah has reported great conditions each day with bursts of snowfall, sleeper pow days, and will continue in that realm until Thursday. 

The extended period brings a very strong cold front (Spring is cancelled) to the PNW Thursday/Friday with 12 plus inches for the Cascade ranges or Oregon and Washington (Chase worthy storm). That cold air will bring high quality moderate powder to the Northern Rockies late this week and early this weekend. Aside from the Cascades, it's not a blockbuster of epic deepness, but will favor very good quality powder for many areas of Idaho, Wyoming, Utah and perhaps Colorado late this week and weekend. Currently the 24 hour totals in many areas of the Rockies look to be in the 5-10 inch range with a few passing waves. More on this later. 

I am on the chase.  Please follow my Instagram feed for the latest in Snow, Travel @powderchasersteve

PCS