Northwest Daily Snow

Heads up, there may be fresher snow! Read the latest Northwest Daily Snow

By Larry Schick, Forecaster Posted 8 years ago December 4, 2015

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NW Open Snow Headlines

More storms ahead

Snow level slowly climbs

A break late week, cooler

NW Open Snow Inside Story

Expect a break later today, then more unsettled weather ahead, with three additional storms. The tail end of the latest storm, this morning, will mean 3-6” for Bachelor, Hood and Crystal – more at Baker and Whistler. The next weather system, on Saturday, will nudge the snow level up bit to 5,500ft, then down on Sunday. Saturday snowfall may be 4-10” upper slopes. Expect widespread snow around the mountains of the NW, mainly middle and upper slopes. There are still more storms continuing for the next ten days – but a break late next week.

With all of these storms, BC will be best (Whistler & interior BC - like Red or Whitewater, Revelstoke too). Early heli and cat skiing should be better than average. The reason I favor BC, is the elevations are higher (colder) in places and farther north is typically colder, offsetting the mild incoming Pacific air.

Expect another storm on Monday with a 4500ft snow level producing 5-15” new. Then expect another storm on Tuesday, which will be mild - a 5500 ft SL for a time and 3-15” of new snow mainly upper slopes. Mild temps will prevail for only for 18 hrs. Possible atmospheric river conditions. After that some cooling and temporally, less snowfall, but not ending. Wednesday and Thursday have epic potential.

Personally, I always like the backside or end game of these storms, for the best skiing. The reason is: the snow level drops, visibility improves and the forecast is much more certain. As a result, I like Wednesday - Saturday of next week. Less snow and storminess, but colder (2000-3000ft SL). I am aiming at Whistler for a field trip and snow survey. During that period, the storm track could target Mt Bachelor, Oregon with additional quality dumage – so watch for that shift. Perhaps a powder run off the Cone , if it’s open (check with patrol) and the wind isn’t an issue. Hey, that is a very minor hike, you big baby, with a good powder payoff.

Meanwhile, the storms are still lined up from here to China. They develop, then move off the continent, sucking up moisture, then traverse the mid-latitudes across the Pacific in 3-5 days, finally hitting the NW. All directed by a powerful, active westerly flow.

I thought this unrelenting storminess might end by mid month, but now I am not so sure. Models are hinting at an encore, with generally cooler temperatures. If that occurs we could see a rare pattern of consistent epic conditions!

This current run and series of storms is really a classic anti-El Nino pattern. But we really don’t expect the preferred El Nino circulation until January, so this is not an entire surprise. The NW generally has its peak winter season precipitation in November and December. That is why Mt Baker and Whistler are the most reliable early season skiing in world.

PS: Stevens Pass opens today. Three-six inches new in a convergence zone is possible.

Larry Schick

Meteorologist

Open Snow NW Territory

About Our Forecaster

Larry Schick

Forecaster

Larry cherry picks the best powder days to ski. He has skied more than 60 ski areas in the Western US and British Columbia – including Cat and Heliskiing. His ride continues. The path is lined with fresh snow and perfect waves.

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