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Snowbird was screaming after a December dumping. It looks like the snow gods will again deliver this weekend. Matt Crawley photo.
It's no secret that much of the early ski season wasn't kind to the Beehive State, but it seems like the snow gods have finally started to smile upon Utah during the late season. A little more than a week after an unexpected dumping coated the state in feet of the fluffy white stuff, the faucet looks like it's going to turn on again this weekend, as many Utah resorts can potentially expect to see as much as 3 feet by the end of the weekend.
Currently most of the central Wasatch is sitting at around 60-65 percent of its normal snowpack (as measured by snow water equivalent) with slightly higher amounts in the northern tip of the state. While it’s been nothing stellar the season, several double digit dumps in the past month have really helped bring decent conditions to many areas especially the upper elevations of Park City, Cottonwoods, and further north towards Snowbasin.
As a storm chaser, I would say it's "game on” for Utah right now especially by late this weekend. Just one more deep dump should be a game changer especially if they grab some heavier density snowfall. The previous two dumps were blower pow so they did not contribute quite as well to burying the some remaining bones at the summits of some ski area. But that should change this weekend.
The system currently moving plastering the Sierra with 3-5 feet of pow will approach northern Utah by Friday morning. Models are consistent in timing, with snow falling into the weekend. Moderate snow will be falling by Friday afternoon with many ski resorts reporting 3-6 inches by last chair. Winds from the southwest will bring slightly warmer temps Friday and snowfall favoring resorts like Snowbasin, Park City, Deer Valley, and most of Big Cottonwood Canyon (Brighton, Solitude). Nearby Alta and Snowbird may see less snow with the initial band of moisture on Friday.
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Cooler temps Saturday and continued snowfall will be bring moderate snow to most areas through the day. The cooler temps may enhance snow totals especially late Friday night and early Saturday. Winds are still southwest so resorts mentioned above may score the highest amounts, however all resorts in northern and central Utah will be earning some deeper turns Saturday. Expect double digits perhaps for first chair and continued snowfall during the day Saturday.
All those colors make for a great time this weekend in the Cottonwoods. Weatherbell photo.
Snow showers continue Saturday night and Sunday with a wind shift to the west/northwest. While moisture is weaning on Saturday night it’s possible that lake effect flow kicks in for the Cottonwoods and produces another surprise dump for early Sunday morning. That's the wildcard that will determine whether three-day totals by late Sunday will be in the 2-3 feet range or 12-18 inches. The GFS model is producing 2-3 feet storm totals above 8,000 feet through Sunday especially in the Cottonwoods and areas north to the Idaho border. The slightly favored EURO is showing 9-15 inch storm totals with less in the northern Wasatch. I think it’s a safe bet to cut the differences into 15-22 inches through Sunday morning at many resorts in Utah.
At the end of the day, it's more good news in a season that's desperately needed some. Happy chasing!
