Monthly and Season-to-Date Snow Totals:

Now that we're at the end of March, let's take a look at where we stack up on snowfall across the region.

March has been outstanding across Oregon with deep snow totals recorded throughout the state. Five resorts in Oregon have topped 100 inches for the month, and we nearly had a sixth (Anthony Lakes with 99") as well. Overall, it's been a great season for skiing in Oregon.

In Western Washington, White Pass and Mt. Baker also went over 100 inches for the month. Overall, snowfall was not as heavy in Washington compared to Oregon in March, however. The second half of the month was a bit quieter compared to an active first half of the month.

Across the Inland Northwest, it's been a very front-loaded season with heavy snowfall in November and December, followed by lighter and more intermittent snowfall from January through March. Many areas will end up with below-average snowfall for the season, though Lookout Pass has still managed to exceed 400 inches.

As far as snowpack goes (the amount of snow on the ground, as measured by water content), Oregon is enjoying a well-above-average season, while snowpack is near to slightly below average across most of Washington. Snowpack is a bit below average across the North Cascades, including the Mt. Baker area.

Snowpack is also below average across the Northern Idaho Panhandle and near average across the Central Idaho Panhandle and Northeast Washington. Snowpack is a bit above average across Southeast Washington.

Forecast for Friday to Sunday:

The good news is that we have one final big storm cycle on the way this weekend that will impact the region as a whole while all ski areas are still open. The storm will feature two main waves moving through, with the first stronger wave impacting the entire region on Friday and Saturday.

This first wave will feature a strong jet stream nosing its way into the PNW, along with a cold front that will move across the region on Saturday, which will also help to enhance snowfall rates.

A second weaker wave will move through on Sunday, and rather than moving from west to east across the region, it will take more of a northwest-to-southeast track with the best moisture/energy moving across Oregon, while the Inland Northwest will largely miss out.

Western Washington:

Snow is gradually picking up across the region on Friday morning, and will become heavy and more widespread on Friday afternoon and Friday night. A cold front will move through on Saturday morning with robust snow showers continuing throughout the day on Saturday and into Saturday night as well.

Winds will be moderate out of the southwest on Friday-Friday night, then will become strong along and behind the front on Saturday, eventually turning westerly on Saturday afternoon and Saturday night. 

Snow levels will range from 2,500-3,500 feet on Friday afternoon before falling to 500-1,500 feet late Friday night/Saturday morning. Snow levels will range from 1,000-2,000 feet during the day on Saturday before falling to 300-800 feet on Saturday night.

Snow totals from Friday AM through Sunday AM will generally range from 10-24 inches at most ski resorts in the Cascades from Baker to White Pass, 4-8 inches at Hurricane Ridge, and 1-4 inches at Mission Ridge.

On Sunday, snow showers will pick back up during the daytime hours as the second wave moves through before gradually tapering off on Sunday night. Winds will also be lighter on Sunday compared to Friday/Saturday.

Snow totals from Sunday AM through Monday AM will range from 3-8 inches at White Pass, Crystal, Alpental, and Snoqualmie Pass, 2-6 inches at Hurricane Ridge, 1-4 inches at Stevens Pass and Mt. Baker, and a trace to an inch at Mission Ridge.

Snow levels will remain low on Sunday, ranging from 300 to 2,000 feet.

As for skiing conditions, Saturday will be a fun storm skiing day with deep conditions expected but winds and poor visibility will also be a factor, not to mention poor road conditions. Sunday will offer plenty of leftovers along with some refills, while improvement is also expected in terms of winds and road conditions. 

Eastern Washington/Northern Idaho:

Snow showers will gradually develop over the course of the day on Friday, and will become heavier and more widespread from Friday night through Saturday afternoon, with a cold front moving through during the day on Saturday. Snow showers will also persist through Saturday night, especially around Lookout Pass.

Winds will be moderate out of the southwest on Friday-Friday night, then will become strong on Saturday afternoon and Saturday night while shifting from southwesterly to westerly. 

Snow levels will range from 3,000-4,000 feet on Friday afternoon before falling to 2,000-3,000 feet on Friday night. Snow levels will range from 2,000-3,000 feet during the day on Saturday before falling to valley bottoms on Saturday night.

Snow totals from Friday AM through Sunday AM will generally range from 7-15 inches across most ski resorts in the Inland Northwest, except for Lookout Pass who will see higher totals of 10-18 inches.

On Sunday and Sunday night, light snow showers and flurries will re-develop as a second wave passes south of the area. Additional accumulations will be light, ranging from a trace to 3 inches, but winds will also be lighter compared to Saturday.

As for skiing conditions, Saturday will offer the deepest conditions but winds could also be a factor at times and road/travel conditions to the ski areas will be poor. Sunday will offer leftovers along with lighter winds and better travel conditions. 

Oregon:

Snow will gradually pick up during the day on Friday across the Cascades and to a lesser extent the Blues, then will become heavy and more widespread on Friday night. A cold front will move through on Saturday morning with heavy snow continuing throughout the day on Saturday and into Saturday night as well.

West/southwest winds will be moderate on Friday-Friday night, then will become strong along and behind the front during the day on Saturday before gradually decreasing on Saturday night.

Snow levels will range from 3,000-4,000 feet on Friday afternoon before falling to 1,000-2,000 feet late Friday night/Saturday morning. Snow levels will range from 1,500-2,500 feet during the day on Saturday before falling to 500-1,500 feet on Saturday night.

Snow totals from Friday AM through Sunday AM will range from 16-32 inches at Timberline and Mt. Hood Meadows, 12-24 inches at Hood Skibowl, Hoodoo, Bachelor, and Willamette Pass, 7-15 inches at Anthony Lakes and the Blue Mountains, and 3-8 inches at Mt. Ashland.

On Sunday, snow showers will pick back up during the daytime and evening hours as the second wave moves through before gradually tapering off late Sunday night. Winds will still be fairly gusty on Sunday but lighter compared to Friday/Saturday.

Snow totals from Sunday AM through Monday AM will range from 5-10 inches at the Hood resorts, and 3-7 inches at Hoodoo, Bachelor, Willamette Pass, Mt. Ashland, and Anthony Lakes. 

Snow levels will remain low on Sunday, ranging from 300 to 2,000 feet.

As for skiing conditions, Saturday and Sunday will both be deep days. Saturday conditions could be challenging due to high winds, heavy snowfall rates, low visibility, and poor driving conditions, while Sunday will feature some improvement in this regard.

Outlook for Monday (April 3) to Tuesday (April 4):

The main storm track will shift south of the area during this time, but a weaker disturbance will move through, which along with lingering moisture and instability will contribute to snow showers and flurries re-developing both days. Snow totals will be fairly light and spotty with totals ranging from zero to a couple of inches each day.

Snow levels will remain low with a cold airmass in place – similar to perhaps slightly higher compared to the weekend prior. Skiing conditions will remain good overall, though we may still see some sun-affect during the afternoons given the time of year.

Outlook for April 5th-14th:

We've seen a significant trend over the past couple of days toward a drier and more spring-like pattern during this period. A ridge of high pressure is now expected to take hold across the Western U.S., resulting in more sunshine along with lower snowfall potential starting around Wednesday the 5th and continuing into the week of April 10th.

Temperatures will also be warming up over time during this period with spring conditions expected on the slopes. 

While the pattern will likely be quiet overall, we could still see some occasional weak storms break through the ridge, which could result in light snow/rain showers from time to time. But overall, it's looking like we will begin our transition from winter to spring during this period. 

Thanks so much for reading and have a great weekend! Next update on Monday (April 3).

ALAN SMITH 

I am transitioning over to "spring hours" for the rest of the season. I will be posting forecasts on Mondays-Wednesdays-Fridays moving forward with my final post of the season on Monday, April 17th.

Projected Ski Resort Closing Dates:

April 2nd:

Bluewood

April 3rd:

Anthony Lakes

April 9th:

Mt. Hood Skibowl

49º North

Mt. Spokane

Schweitzer

April 16th:

Hoodoo

Lookout Pass

April 23rd:

Mt. Baker

Mt. Ashland

Willamette Pass

Silver Mountain

April 30th:

Mission Ridge

Stevens Pass

Summit at Snoqualmie

Alpental

White Pass

May 6th:

Mt. Hood Meadows

May 28th:

Mt. Bachelor

June 11th:

Crystal Mountain