It seems like the vast majority of the time, the models will decrease totals as we get closer to the storm. The mid-week storm is still a few days out, but this time the models have trended towards a stronger storm with increased snow totals. I first saw this on the models Friday night and just wrote it off as an outlier. After monitoring the storm throughout the weekend, the models have become more consistent with a stronger storm. We have a few days and some light snow in the north to get through first though. Details below. 

Forecast for Monday 8/7 - Tuesday 8/8

On Monday afternoon some light snow is possible, thanks to a weak upper level disturbance. This should only impact the northern resorts and accumulations will be minor, < 6 cms, at places like Portillo, El Colorado,  and Los Penitentes. The light snow should taper off Tuesday morning with clouds for the rest of the day. 

Forecast for Wednesday 8/9 - Friday 8/11

A strong upper level low pressure system is approaching the South American Coast. It will arrive late Tuesday night with snow starting in the early hours on Wednesday, as seen below. 

The blue colors to the west of southern South America represent the upper level area of low pressure, and you can see it move east and cross the continent fairly quickly. 

Temperatures will be warm to start, resulting in rain or a mix when precipitation begins. Not long after the storm arrives though, temperatures will begin to gradually drop turning all precipitation to snow. Some lower elevation resorts in the central and southern regions may take a but longer to make the transition to snow, especially below 1800 m. A more pronounced cold front will push through Wednesday night or Thursday morning, allowing for some lighter snow to fall after that point. Snow will continue through Thursday night before tapering off Friday morning.

Winds will be an issue with this storm, unfortunately. Expects gusts between 80 - 110 km/hr at mid and upper elevations, with higher gusts for the volcanoes. There will definitely be lift closures on Wednesday and maybe Thursday as well. 

As fas as snow totals go, this is looking like a healthy storm. On the high end, upper elevations of the northern central resorts like Corralco and Nevados de Chillan could see 70 - 100 cms! The central resorts, including Antillanca, Antuco, Pucon, Las Araucarias, Caviahue, Cerro Bayo, Cerro Catedral, Chapelco and Volcano Osorno should come in between 35 - 70 cms. In the north, at Portillo, Las Lenas, and Valle Nevado, expect 20 - 35 cms, with some higher totals possible at upper elevations. 

Check out the snow forecast from the Canadian model below. The warm temperatures at the onset of precipitation are likely resulting in overdone snow totals, but you can see where some of the heaviest snow will be. 

The best day to ride will be Friday, as winds will be decreasing and the snow quality will be better. There will likely be some openings with the entire storm total as well. 

Forecast for Saturday 8/12 - Sunday 8/13

A weak but warm storm will come right on the heels of the mid-week storm. Starting as snow on Saturday, a warm front will begin a transition to rain. By Saturday night, most of the region will be too warm for snow, as snow levels rise. The storm is taking a more southerly track, so resorts in the north should only suffer warm temperatures. Central and especially southern resorts will likely see a significant amount of rain. I will have more details about this storm on Wednesday. 

Outlook for Monday 8/14 - Friday 8/18

The pattern remains active next week, with several more upper level disturbances moving through the region. Fortunately, things should cool off on Monday or Tuesday, with additional snow possible during this time. The exact timing of the transition back to snow is a bit unclear, so we'll give the models some more time to sort these details out.

Until then, just enjoy the first storm arriving on Wednesday.

Thanks for reading the South America daily snow! Follow me @lstone84 on Instagram to check out some new content I will be creating for the North American summer months.