Chase Powder Daily Snow

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By Powderchaser Steve, Forecaster Posted 6 years ago November 18, 2017

Chase to the Pacific Northwest Sunday/Monday before warm air infiltrates the West

Summary

Snow is winding down over the West where nearly every resort picked up decent snowfall in the past few days in the Pacific Northwest, north-central and southern Rockies. Double digits will be found at many spots with an incredible 6 foot dump at the summit of Mammoth Mountain. The summit Gondola is opening! The next week should bring 1 more shot of snow for the Cascades (Somewhat cold) before warm air spoils the fun after Monday. The Rockies dry out with some teases mid week and perhaps moderate snow next weekend? There are definitely good conditions starting to pop up in many areas pre December especially Cascades, north Rockies, and some spots of the Sierra (Ski the summit of Mammoth) or Mount Rose.

Short Term Forecast

The last system performed just as forecasted making folks jealous if you live in the Tetons where Grand Targhee opened to Powder yesterday (15-inch storm totals).  Heavy snow first fell over the Cascades swooping south over the Sierra before moving east over much of the Rockies in the past 24 hours. Nearly every ski resort in the West is reporting new snow. The Sierra had the most impressive totals with 30-40 inches at Mount Rose, and 6 feet being reported at the summit of Mammoth (Summit totals are not normally reported so consider 2-4 feet as a general storm total). Utah scored a solid foot in many areas with the Cottonwoods with higher amounts as forecasted. Deer Valley is reporting 10 inches while Park City is reporting 0 (We suspect that pre season reports are not being published there). Looking at telemetry I think PCMR scored similar amounts? 

The Chase Forecast team was on 2nd chair at Grand Targhee just behind some die-hard locals that camped out in lounge chairs at 3 AM.  There was no chance of beating them to first chair. 

Colorado was next with SW, W, NW wind directions producing snow at nearly every ski area Statewide. A wide area of 5-10 inches will be found at most resorts this morning. Higher amounts appear to be the ones we forecasted at Beaver Creek, and Breckenridge (Good with West winds) where Crested Butte underperformed slightly with only 7-10 inches (Too many wind shifts and eventually NW which shuts off snowfall to that area).

Below: Breckenridge resort this morning

POWDER ALERT has been hoisted for 9-14 inches of snow expected to reach the Cascades as early as Sunday mid-morning.  Models show snow breaking out over the north Cascades mid-Sunday (Mount Baker) before swinging south later in the afternoon.  Mid or last chair at Baker should prove to be your best chase Sunday. The first chair at Stevens, Alpental, or Crystal Monday should prove chase worthy (8-12). Snow levels are going to be near or slightly below the bases. Whistler will also benefit nicely with 9-15 inches of snowfall Sunday. Interior BC may also benefit nicely. 

The Good: Moderate dump primarily Sunday PM/Monday AM. 

The Bad: Moderate snow levels with dense snow at the bases and medium density up top. Warming after this storm!

The Panhandle of Idaho will benefit late Sunday night/Monday with 6-11 inches of snow (Schweitzer will score).

Extended Forecast

Warming will occur in the Cascades after Monday with models cranking out rain for most areas Tuesday-Thursday. The Rockies get some teasing (Tetons and perhaps Colorado) Midweek with light snow. Colder air returns after Thanksgiving providing a chance of light or moderate snow for the Cascades extending into the Rockies for next weekend. The East Coast is on our radar for the next few weeks with a good chance of high elevation snow (Quebec favored) in the short term followed by some hints of general low pressure in the extended forecast. 

Below: Post-Turkey Day might bring some snow back to the northern Rockies late next week (Light or moderate).

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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