Mountain Collective Daily Snow
By Sam Collentine, Meteorologist Posted 4 years ago December 16, 2020
Plenty of Powder
Summary
Many destinations received their first solid storm cycle since opening for the 20/21 season. Resorts in the Rockies will receive healthy totals through Friday, December 18th, followed by dry weather through Christmas. Active pattern returns to the Western US around December 30th.
Short Term Forecast
Snow Conditions
Snow Forecast
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Before jumping into the forecast, I wanted to quickly share the deepest reports from the last few days...
Grand Targhee is new for the 20/21 season and can always be on your list for DEEP totals when the storm track is locked into the Western US.
For the days ahead, our focus will shift to Thursday (12/17) and into Friday (12/18) as another decent-looking storm slides through California and then onto Utah and Colorado.
From Evan Thayer via the Utah Daily Snow:
"As for when to ride ... Thursday is going to get better and better. If you like storm skiing, then perhaps Thursday afternoon is the time to go. The storm will mostly be clearing out Friday, and you'll have the benefit of a full night of snow on Thursday evening -- so the snow will be deepest Friday morning. For powder, late Thursday or Friday are both good bets. Plenty of leftovers available on Saturday as well."
Target Alta/Snowbird for the DEEP!
Further north, Jackson Hole will receive 6-12 inches from Wednesday through Friday, with the best turns during the day Thursday and again on Friday morning.
Arapahoe Basin and Aspen/Snowmass will also receive 3-6 inches through Friday (12/18). They will be solid picks for soft turns as we head into the weekend of December 19th and 20th.
As always, stay up-to-date with our team of local forecasters. They will provide you with excellent local analysis and really help you dial in the details.
View → Daily Snow Forecasts
Extended Forecast
The action will then shift north into Canada and to the Northeast during the final 10 days of December. Keep an eye on Sugarbush as Santa should deliver soft turns for Christmas.
For most destinations in the Western US, mostly dry conditions will be the story from December 21st through about December 29th. All longer-range models then introduce another stormy period for the Western US beginning around December 30th. This should continue into early January 2021. Start planning now...
Thanks for reading! Next update on Wednesday, December 22nd.
SAM COLLENTINE
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