Posted March 19, 11:02 am MT 10:02 am PT
Forecast Discussion
Here we go again, after a short break in the pattern storms, we are back, with heavy snow in the Sierra this morning. That system reaches Utah resorts by late tonight, providing a nice powder day to start the week. Colorado gets in on the action Monday.
Winter Storm Warnings are back for Sierra ranges with snow levels around 5000 to 5500 feet. The heaviest snow is expected along the crest with 20-30 inches expected with this first wave. The second wave hits Tuesday with moderate totals and the third wave hits Thursday, so buckle up–here we go again.
Long-Range Forecast Predictions are out thru April
Forecast
Lake Tahoe
Forecast Charts High Resolution, 10-day Totals, Surface Wind and Ridgetop Wind (click to animate)
Ok, we have 3 storms in 5 days, so let’s break them down. The first storm will bring heavy snow today and tonight and there will be a break in the action, with scattered snow showers Monday. The next system hits Tuesday with heavy snow all day and night. Another break in the action until Thursday’s system fires up around mid-day.
Temperatures and snow levels should be near Lake level with Temps around the freezing mark. Winds are not that bad, for Tahoe standards. We are looking at winds between 15-20 with 30 mph gusts at base level and ridgetop winds in the low 50’s. I did see a small 60 mph gust on the chart, but most of the day today and tomorrow should be low 50’s.
Utah
Today will be a nice day with partly cloudy skies until this afternoon, as clouds will increase as the storm system approaches. The Heavy snow will begin tonight, around midnight.
Expect a nice powder day tomorrow with heavy snow throughout the day and into the evening. Temperatures will be nearly perfect, with high temps in the mid 20’s at base and upper mountain temps in the upper teens. Winds will be moderate between 15-20 with wind chills in the low single digits.
Tuesday we will see a break in between storms, but that will be short lived. The next system should get off and running by early afternoon, and as early as lunchtime. Temperatures similar to Monday’s, but we may see a break in the clouds with a little sun mixed in. Winds will be on the lighter side, between 5-10 mph at base level and gusting to near 20 mph up top.
Tuesday night and Wednesday expect heavy snow for powder days on Wednesday and possibly Thursday morning.
Colorado
Today will be mostly sunny with warm temperatures, in the mid 30’s, throughout the state. The storm moves in early tomorrow morning, with the heaviest totals in the southern ranges and will be spreading across the state on Monday. The system is taking a northeast track, moving towards Nebraska on its way to Minnesota.
Temperatures are going to be warm throughout the week, in the low 30’s at 8000 feet, with the exception of higher elevation resorts, in the upper 20’s, along with the best snow quality.
The southern mountains will fare the best, between 2-4 feet likely by Thursday. Below is the snowfall chart through Wednesday. This will likely change, as I do not have a lot of confidence beyond Tuesday.
Utah Calendar Results
Forecasted Areas
Pacific Northwest Cascade Mountains
Crystal Mountain, Mount Hood Meadows, Timberline, 49 Degrees North, Bachelor, Mt Baker,
Lake Tahoe Sierra Mountains
Heavenly, Palisades Tahoe, Kirkwood, Dodge Ridge, Donner Ski Ranch
Utah Wasatch Mountains
Alta, Park City, Deer Valley, Brighton, Snowbird, Brian Head
Colorado Rocky Mountains
Aspen, Aspen Highlands, Snowmass, Vail, Beaver Creek, Winter Park, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Powderhorn, Ski Cooper, Telluride, Crested Butte, Silverton, Wolf Creek, Eldora, Loveland
