Atmospheric Rivers
It has been a good start to the season, albeit it a little late. The video shows us how the atmospheric river (AR) sets up, and then a second AR returns in the same spot. We learned from last year that AR’s repeat.
Atmospheric rivers can bring a huge amount of precipitation. Last year, Lake Tahoe got their biggest storm of the season with over 100 inches, in spots, from the AR that came through in December. One cycle earlier, in October, they got 39 inches in one day from that same storm system.
Below are the Lake Tahoe setups from last year.
October System
December System
The ARs that are hitting the West Coast will return a little before Christmas. If you live in Vancouver Canada down to Portland Oregon, keep an eye on our long range forecast.
Tahoe Action
The first week of October (7th) we put out our original test set of predictions. They have been performing just about a good as it can get. In fact, the second AR in the video above, hits Alaska as it slides down the coast. So we are right on the pattern. Lake Tahoe gets in on the action Tuesday, around noon. I am always a little worried forecasting for Tahoe because it is seemingly always on the edge of the pattern flow. This year, hopefully, is different.
All indications are that it is different. We have seen the October pattern flip from dry the last two years to average precipitation, admittedly a small sample size, but at FutureSnow, we will roll with it.
Prediction Chart
Thanks for spending a few minutes reading the blog. We have a bunch of really cool stuff that is happening, I will share with you soon, as well as, the first set of predictions that will be out very soon. As always if you have any questions feel free to leave a comment or shoot me an email to mike@futuresnow.co
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