Utah Daily Snow

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By Evan Thayer, Forecaster Posted 5 years ago December 2, 2018

Last Round + Snowpack

Summary

Snow showers continue today into this evening as our last round moves thru the region. Expect good ski conditions with light fluffy snow. In general, we have a break in the storms over the next week with the exception of southern Utah.

Short Term Forecast

Snow has been falling for a few hours over most northern Utah mountains -- particularly in the central Wasatch.  So far, amounts seem to generally range from 1 to 5 inches.   Snow will continue today as a fairly weak final system tracks thru the region. As the system passes east of the area, the flow is going to switch to out of the NW.  This could enhance orographics and bring heavier snow to favored locations like Little Cottonwood Canyon.  Here is the forecast for upper LCC for today: 

The forecast for today was 3-6" with 5-10" in the Cottonwoods.  Based on what we've seen so far, and the graph above, I think we are in line to receive those amounts.  The snow will be ultra light and fluffy as the temperatures are quite cold.  

Snow will taper off this evening and we will dry out for the start of this week with a warm-up in the mountains and perhaps some inversions in the valleys.  

Later this week, we will see another system drop down the Pacific coast and eventually move inland into the desert southwest.  We could see some moisture from this system work its way north into Utah for some showers, but amounts should be lighter.  Best chance for something more measurable will be in the southern Utah mountains.  

Overall, we will be in a mostly dry pattern from December 3-10.  

Extended Forecast

Looking ahead, both the GFS and Euro have storms starting to push into the west coast again after December 10.  Right now, there's not much agreement on when these would impact Utah and how strong they will be.  We will have to keep an eye on it, but it does look like a return to more active weather is possible. 

Snowpack Analysis:

Remember just a couple weeks ago when we had virtually no snow and it was looking like a repeat of last year's dismal start?  Welp, things certainly turned around quickly.  Here is where we currently stand in the state of Utah: 

And overall in the western US: 

A huge turnaround for Utah... an even bigger turnaround for the Sierra Nevada to our west.  

Looking more specifically compared to last year, let's check out Snowbird: 

Snowpack numbers are 111% of the median (not counting today's snow).  It took us until Christmas week last year to reach the same snowpack levels.  

Farther north, Ben Lomond Peak which is a good indicator for Snowbasin/PowMow: 

153% of median and 5 weeks ahead of last year!  

This early in the season, there is a ton of variability in snowpack.  The numbers can rise or fall quickly.  I'd expect us to get a bit more of a boost today, then we'll likely see the numbers fall over the next week during the upcoming period of drier weather. Still, we are in very good shape snowpack-wise.  Keep the storms coming!  

Evan | OpenSnow

About Our Forecaster

Evan Thayer

Forecaster

To Evan, 'The Greatest Snow on Earth' is more than just a motto - it’s a way of life. In 2010, he started Wasatch Snow Forecast as a way to share the best powder days with his fellow snow-lovers. Evan brings the same quality forecasts and weather discussions to OpenSnow and hopes you enjoy skiing/riding Utah as much as he does.

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