Montana Daily Snow

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By Bob Ambrose, Forecaster Posted 1 year ago April 23, 2022

Update: Big Sky in the Eye of the Storm

Summary

8PM Friday Evening Update: 12” + so far at Big Sky on Friday with the brunt of the storm just starting to amp up across the Gallatin’s/Madison’s. NW winds are also increasing and will favor SE aspects on Saturday. Another 6 – 12” likely overnight, with snow tapering off by midday Saturday, adding another 2 – 4” by noon Saturday. Storm totals of 2 feet are right on track… Epic Saturday in store.

Short Term Forecast

EAST of the Continental Divide:

8PM Friday night Big Sky update: After 6 – 11” across Lone and Andesite on Friday, the real action is starting Friday night as the low-pressure system winds up over Yellowstone NP, gaining cold air over the Yellowstone Plateau. As the closed low slowly moves eastward, wrap around moisture will continue to intensify overnight with periods of heavy snow adding to the 6 – 12” range by 9AM Saturday. Look for the snow to become showery in nature into late morning and into the early afternoon, another 3 – 5” is possible.

As noted earlier, NW winds are already increasing and may be a slight factor on Saturday, blowing around 15-20 mph with gusts to 35 mph across the ridgetops. Highs at 9000’ in the low 20’s.

For Sunday’s finale, a mix of sun and clouds with a high at 9000’ in the upper 20’s. Light to moderate West winds across the alpine and ridgetops. 

WEST of the Continental Divide:   

All ski areas and resorts west of the Divide are currently closed, however Blacktail Mountain opens one last day Saturday 4/23. Lookout Pass on the Idaho/Montana border will also re-open Saturday & Sunday 4/23 & 24 for their final weekend.

Increasing clouds on Friday night with a few snow showers developing that could bring a skiff to Lookout and Blacktail. As the disturbance exits on Saturday, skies will be a mix of sun and clouds in the morning hours with better chances of snow/rain showers developing around noonish at Blacktail and Lookout. Snow levels around 5500’. Highs at these resorts in the low to mid 40’s on Saturday.

High-pressure builds in for a day of mostly sunny skies on Sunday across the region. Lookout Pass’s last day of operation looks to be a bluebird one. Highs at 6000’ will be in the mid to upper 40’s.

Below: The Canadian short-term HRDPS below keeps the snow falling across SW Montana into Saturday PM. Besides Big Sky, skinners at Bridger and Red Lodge will also enjoy the goods on Saturday (and Sunday). 

 

Extended Forecast

WEST and EAST of the Continental Divide

Long term forecast models are now favoring a slightly warmer but more unsettled pattern to end the month of April. It will be showery next week with high elevation light snowfall daily through Thursday, especially across Central and SW Montana east of the Continental Divide. By Thursday, a strong cold front will bring a return to storminess across the Treasure State for another bout of late seasonal snowfall to continue building the snowpack. 

Powder Out –

 Bob

Announcements

Montana Ski Areas & Resorts / Geographical References   

WEST of the Divide with CLOSING DATES: 

Whitefish Mountain Resort – CLOSED

Blacktail Mountain – CLOSED – OPEN Saturday April 23rd (1 day only)   

Turner Mountain – CLOSED   

Lookout Pass (MT/ID)  - CLOSED - OPEN April 23 & 24

Montana Snowbowl – CLOSED   

Discovery Basin – CLOSED

Lost Trail Powder Mountain – CLOSED  

EAST of the Divide:

Big Sky Resort – OPEN Daily until April 24

Bridger Bowl – CLOSED

Red Lodge Mountain – CLOSED

Great Divide – CLOSED

Showdown –  CLOSED 

Teton Pass Ski Area – CLOSED   

Maverick Mountain – CLOSED      

 

Backcountry Avalanche Reports:

West Central Montana Avalanche Center

http://missoulaavalanche.org 

 Flathead Avalanche Center                            

 http://www.flatheadavalanche.org

Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center:

http://www.mtavalanche.com

 

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About Our Forecaster

Bob Ambrose

Forecaster

Ever since his early days as a ski racer on the icy slopes of New Hampshire’s White Mountains, Bob chased his dreams of deep powder west to Tahoe and finally Montana. A self-proclaimed 'weather junkie', his passion for maps, charts, and forecasts always lead him to the best snow in Montana.

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