POW Alert for the Tetons and Cascades
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Snow accumulations through Saturday.
It's going to be creamy deep in spots to end the week with cold air teasing us in the Pacific Northwest this evening and tomorrow with lots of snowfall to be spoiled by warm temperatures in between. The Tetons get mega deep at the summits (Cream cheese on steroids) by Friday afternoon with some mixed bag precipitation at the bases. I’m really trying!
FORECAST:
Light snow fell overnight in the Pacific Northwest last night with some really good conditions at most resorts (2-3 feet in the past 3-4 days). I was at Stevens yesterday with 8-12 inches of medium density (Wind compacted) snow and a good dose of light frosting that made for a great cushion especially the back side (Less wind impacted).
The Good: Heavy snow will fall favoring the central Cascades this afternoon and evening (Night skiing could be good) with up to 10 inches in many areas from I-90 north. The Bad: Warming happens tonight taking that low density snow turning it upside down (High avalanche danger) for your 1st turns tomorrow. If you're desperate for POW POW shoot for Friday AM but no blower will be found. Temps cool on Friday with light snow showers possible. Warming occurs late Saturday and especially late Sunday/Monday. It’s a flip flop event.
The Tetons will see significant snowfall tonight through Friday at upper elevations. SW winds (Gusting to 45-55) will transport 9-15 inches cream to the upper elevations (Expect avalanche delays tomorrow). There may be some cooling early Friday so snow will most likely be falling in the higher Valleys surrounding Jackson and Driggs. My guess is that some lifts won’t spin due to winds so be patient for upper mountain terrain. Rain or mixed precipitation will be falling at the base by mid-morning. It’s not going be epic but sometimes that cream up top can be super fun (Get the fat boards out) so if you are there take the optimistic side and ski the upper mountain.
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You can force face shots in that type of snow if you're desperate especially on a snowboard. Grand Targhee has the higher elevation base so it’s possible that wet snow will be falling at all elevations?
Idaho grabs similar conditions with a warming trend. I think it's possible that higher elevations near Brundage could see some teasing as well as the Sawtooths north of Sun Valley (3-9). Sun Valley should see light or moderate snow at upper elevations. Most snow is focused in the central mountains as well as the eastern sector near Wyoming and Montana. Stick to higher elevations on Friday.
Montana is still in the cold sector of the storm (15 degrees at Whitefish this morning). Moderate snow will be good late today through tonight before warming conditions occur on Friday. Models show a trend for some moderate or heavy snow near Red Lodge but I’m not ready to sign off on it yet. If your near Whitefish it’s worth a chase for today perhaps but the warming temps late tonight or Friday may put caution on pulling the plug.
Colorado gets a teasing not worth chasing but at least it’s going to be snowing lightly in the northern mountains late Friday night or early Saturday (light).
