*Next forecast will be Sunday AM - enjoy the powder turns Saturday!*

Friday Night - Saturday:

Southern Wisconsin:

The couple of resorts still spinning lifts in southern Wisconsin this weekend will be rewarded with some late-season soft turns! Tyrol Basin will be right on the edge of the heaviest snowfall, with a couple of inches likely but with an upside of 5"+. Models range from 1" to 7", which is a large range for less than 24 hours away.

Little Switzerland is closer to the main area of snow and will see moderate to heavy snow Saturday morning, with 3-6" likely. There could be some double-digit totals in southeast Wisconsin (sadly no lifts spinning) as most of the models show some very intense narrow bands of snow with 1-2" per hour snowfall rates and even some hints of thundersnow! 

Lower Michigan:

The winners with this system will be those still spinning the lifts in the Traverse City region, with 4-10" expected, and a few pockets possibly picking up more. Snow begins from south to north, with the deepest turns likely by midday into the afternoon/early evening. Depending on when lifts close on Saturday, there could be a few inches waiting for first chair on Sunday.

Snow quality will mainly be wet/thick but we could see some better quality snow mix in at times or towards the end of Saturday evening. Regardless, Saturday will offer snow much of the day, softer turns, and refills for resorts that have kept the lifts spinning into late March. 

Not to be left out, but just north of the Traverse City resorts, Searchmont will see some flakes on Saturday, with at least a couple of inches likely, making for some softer turns by afternoon or again on Sunday. 

With rain likely for Pine Knob on Saturday, this could signal the end of their season - props to them for opening today (Friday) ahead of the rain and offering at least one more day on the slopes! 

ECWMF forecast precipitation types Saturday

Pessimistic vs Optimistic scenario (Reminder: this is a comparison of models that are lower on totals vs models that are more optimistic)

The optimistic scenario is likely too bullish on how far north and west the snow could end up being in Wisconsin, but the higher-end totals in southeast Wisconsin and up near the Traverse City region are well within the realm of possibilities. Notice Tyrol Basin ranges from around 1.5" to nearly 7" in these two graphics while the rest of the resorts still open range from near 4" to 10" - the expectation being Searchmont which is around 1" to 5". 

Sunday:

For Sunday, I expect most of the Midwest to remain dry with highs in the 30s and 40s, making for spring conditions on the slopes. A few low 50s are possible which could really get the spring fever going on the slopes by afternoon.

This will be the closing day for many resorts (listed below) and in the extended portion of the forecast! Please be sure to check ahead as these are subject to change based on conditions! 

Closing Sunday, March 26:

Afton Alps (bonus weekend announced!), Hyland Hills, Christie Mtn, Little Switz (bonus weekend announced per their website!), Caberfae, Mount Kato, Ripley, Powder Ridge, Tyrol Basin, Nordic Mtn, Wild Mtn, Whitecap, Shanty Creek

March 27 - April 2:

• Cooler start to the week, warmer end to the week
• Monday - Tuesday chance of rain and snow
• Light precipitation chances for the middle of the week
• A stronger system possible with rain/snow Friday into Saturday 

New Closing Dates Announced/Added:

• Shanty Creek, closing March 26

***Compiled from various sources and subject to change, I strongly recommend calling ahead***

Closing Sunday, March 26:

Afton Alps (bonus weekend announced!), Hyland Hills, Christie Mtn, Little Switz (bonus weekend announced per their website!), Caberfae, Mount Kato, Ripley, Powder Ridge, Tyrol Basin, Nordic Mtn, Wild Mtn, Whitecap, Shanty Creek

Closing Saturday, April 1:

Big Powderhorn, Trollhaugen

Closing Sunday, April 2:

Nub's Nob, Snowriver (Jackson Creek), Giants Ridge, Porkies, Spirit Mtn (tentative), Pine Mtn, Marquette Mtn (tentative) 

Closing Saturday, April 8:

Mont du Lac (Retro Meltdown to celebrate the end of the season)

Closing Sunday, April 16:

Snowriver (Black River Basin), Lutsen

***By Geographic Region***

North Shore Lake Superior/Northeast Minnesota
Open: Giants Ridge, Spirit Mountain, Mont du Lac, Lutsen, Bearskin (TBD, likely open into April), Loch Lomond (TBD, likely weekends only in April), Mount Baldy

Closed: Chester Bowl

UP/South Shore Lake Superior/Lake Effect Snow Belt
Open: Birkie, Whitecap, Powderhorn, Porkies, Snowriver, Ripley, Bohemia, Marquette Mtn, Ski Brule, Pine Mtn, Searchmont (open likely middle to late April)

Closed: ABR

Twin Cities Region
Open: Trollhaugen, Wild Mountain, Powder Ridge, Hyland Hills, Afton Alps, Buck Hill, Welch Village, Mount Kato,

Closed: Coffee Mill

Central Wisconsin
Open: Granite Peak, Paul Bunyan, Nordic Mtn, Christie

Southern Wisconsin Region
Open: Tyrol, Little Switz

Closed: Mt La Crosse, Cascade, Devil's Head, Wilmot, Mountain Top, Sundown (Iowa), Chestnut (Illinois), Sunburst, Alpine Valley (WI)

Northern Lower Michigan/Traverse City Region/Lake Effect Snow Belt
Open: Nub's Nob, Boyne Mtn, Shanty Crk, Crystal Mtn, Caberfae, Treetops

Closed: Boyne Highlands, Otsego

Southwest Lower Michigan/Grand Rapids Region/Kalamazoo Region/Lake Effect Snow Belt
Closed: Cannonsburg, Bittersweet, Timber Ridge, Swiss Valley

Southeast Lower Michigan/Eastern Michigan/Detroit Region
Open: Pine Knob - Open Friday, March 24!!! TBD after that

Closed: Mt Brighton, Mt Holly, Alpine Valley (MI)

Road Conditions:

• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Wisconsin