5-10 Feet of Snow Expected In the Sierra

Aftermath of Steven's Pass dump. Steven's pass photo. 

Currently a funnel of moisture is aimed at the Cascades and coastal British Columbia. Powderchasers was at Stevens Pass yesterday with a fresh coat of 10 inches of smooth fluff that virtually reset the mountain completely (No bumps). Moisture continues this week in the Cascades (Heavy) with snow levels rising today and dropping slightly late tonight (Mixed precipitation or rain today at the bases- AM snow). 

Whistler will benefit from higher peak elevations but rain will most likely be falling even above mid mountain today. Conditions in the PNW improve Thursday (Colder Air) as well as Saturday (Colder air moves into the PNW behind heavy moisture falling Friday night (Any rain will change to snow). 

Expect significant snowfall at the peaks of the higher mountain ranges with much less at the base elevations through Saturday. Best days to ride the PNW might be Thursday or Saturday as colder air arrives. You need to dodge the warm air cycles!

Hopefully more of this to come at Squaw Valley. Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows photo. 

All attention turns to the Sierra as a parade of low pressure systems slam into the Coast beginning this weekend and lasting through the end of next week. Can I go out on the limb and forecast 5-10 feet through the latter part of next week. Each system will get progressively cooler so quality may improve early next week with stronger cold fronts. Moisture will tease the Sierra this Saturday (High snow levels) with moderate accumulations likely at upper elevations (8-9). 

Action increases significantly late Saturday night or early Sunday morning with heavy snow falling from central Oregon through the entire Sierra range. Snow levels will start out moderate on Sunday morning before dropping by mid day (Heavier amounts in the northern Sierra). The icing on the cake comes Sunday night and Monday as the cold front sweeps through the Sierra dropping snow levels to lake level.

This front should bring another round of significant snow into Monday. Action drops south into southern California (San Diego) so expect an Epic Alert in many areas from the northern Sierra south to Mammoth and Big Bear on Monday morning (Good quality- deep). Snow lingers over the Sierra range on Tuesday with colder temperatures. 

Another heavy round of snow will be falling Tuesday afternoon so expect a repeat powder day on Wednesday. The long range models keep an active pattern for California into late next week! 5-10 feet is realistic through the end of next week. The long term models are showing continued moisture in the 10-14 days outlooks. WOO HOO MARCH!

Morgan MaGlashon slashes her way down the Crags. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort photo. 

The Tetons and central Idaho get teased with light snow (3-4) this Wednesday. Moderate moisture from the Sierra begins to stream into central and southern Idaho on Sunday with SW winds (Pushing moisture from the Sierra through Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming). The parent low drops south into Arizona and Mexico. Moisture splits off the main low and takes aim at the Tetons and Wasatch late Sunday afternoon through Monday. 

Currently, we are confident that snow will be falling in these areas however amounts remain uncertain. The front is progressive so totals may hold to moderate. Additional light or moderate snow is likely Monday night/Tuesday. The 2nd piece from the Sierra moves over the Wasatch on Tuesday with colder temperatures. This may spell slightly higher snow totals for the Wasatch Tuesday night and Wednesday? 

While no single deep dump may fall early next week confidence is high that amounts through Wednesday will be respectable (7-12). Conditions will continue to improve.

Colorado will see moisture increase next week. My confidence is low on a single deep dump as most energy weans as it quickly moves over the region (Southern areas favored). Models seem to offer an uptick of moisture for much of Colorado mid to late next week. We will nail down the timing on a later post.

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