Winter Returns To the West With Late April Powder

A forecast for the upcoming weekend. Those in the Sierra expect some late season pow. NOAA photo. 

Last week brought out our Powderchasers “Snorkel Alert”, where 2-3 feet of snow pounded areas closest to Denver including Breckenridge, A Basin, Winter Park, Loveland and Vail that were still open. Wolf Creek nabbed 12 inches and opened last weekend for the lucky ones that were there on Saturday. Powderchaser Steve sampled the freshies at Vail Saturday and both A-Basin and Breckenridge on Sunday. 

A taste of winter is headed for the Sierra over the next several days. Strong moisture will be moving ashore on Friday ahead of a cold front that will take snow levels from 7,000 feet to 5500 feet late. We are forecasting 7-14 inches by late Friday night in the Sierra. Additional snow albeit lighter will be falling Sunday night and early Monday. Another moderate storm is possible Wednesday? Temperatures will be colder than average through the period. 

Moisture from the Sierra races through the Wasatch and Tetons Saturday with perhaps moderate amounts at Snowbird and Alta (Alta reopens for it’s final weekend). Expect 5-8 inches or more by late Saturday afternoon. Snow showers race through northern Colorado Saturday night (light to moderate amounts). 

The additional snowfall from the Sierra that falls Monday and Wednesday will bring a continued trend for light to moderate snowfall to build in the Wasatch Tuesday/Wednesday (Snowbird is still open). Models show moderate amounts especially by Wednesday morning. The 3 day totals will likely exceed 10 inches near Snowbird (No single deep event but respectable 3 day totals). 

The Tetons will reap rewards (Ski areas are closed) through Wednesday with moderate amounts at higher elevations. Colorado sees moderate snowfall Tuesday/Wednesday with moisture flowing from the SW eventually turning Westerly by midweek (Wednesday might be my pick)?

Southern Montana will reap some rewards next week as high elevation snowfall and colder temperatures take hold (Sunday-Wednesday). Big Sky saw a decent powder day on their last hurrah of the season.

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This might be our last powder post of the season? We really enjoyed your support and hope that everyone had some powder dreams come true. Next Winter could bring us La Nina that might be another excuse to formulate some hype! 

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