Utah Daily Snow

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By Evan Thayer, Forecaster Posted 5 years ago December 13, 2018

December Doldrums

Summary

Storm moved thru yesterday bringing generally modest totals to Northern Utah mountains -- higher amounts in the Cottonwoods. We are now entering a generally quiet stretch of weather. We may see a few showers from systems that are falling apart, but significant precipitation looks unlikely.

Short Term Forecast

Wow! Yesterday sure was fun if you knew where to be.  The forecast was for 4-8" with higher amounts possible in LCC.  Most resorts fell into this range with LCC resorts receiving over a foot.  So, storm performed exactly as expected.  Of course, behind the cold front the northerly winds picked up and it sure was nippy up there.  If you were able to get thru the cold, then you were rewarded with free refills and it got better and better.  

We are now entering a lull in the weather.  The PNW will be active as storms move in off the Pacific, but very few will make it to our region intact.  We may be left with a couple chances for light showers from the remnant scraps of these storms.  For the next week, expect periods of clouds when individual waves move thru, perhaps a couple snow showers, but nothing significant.  

Extended Forecast

I'm really left having to scour the models for signs of good news.  The operational ECMWF has a storm for us towards the end of its run (December 22nd), but I think this will be gone in the next run.  When I look at large-scale patterns.  We go from a ridge over the central U.S. this week, to a blocking ridge off the Pacific next week.  Two different types of dry patterns.  So it is a pattern change, but from one dry pattern to another.  The only real hope I see comes after Christmas when the ridge in the Pacific may retrograde far enough west for storms to re-enter the picture.  

It's discouraging because 5 days ago or so there were a lot of good signs for a change to a favorable pattern, but those signs have since faded.  The good news is that a lot can change quickly.  If you remember, at this time one month ago it looked very bleak for the end of November but then things changed and we had a great second half of the month.  Let's hope that repeats itself. 

In the meantime, get out and enjoy the fresh snow we do have! It may be your last chance for awhile.

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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