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California Snow

By May 8, 2022No Comments

Pattern Discussion

We are in cycle 4, day 28 of this year’s pattern, currently in the Active West phase.  The Pacific Northwest continues to stay in “winter” mode as it continues to snow adding a couple of inches a day with rain mixed occasionally. 

Mt Hood Timberline Velvet

This latest storm has dropped 13″ at Timberline, and 11″ at Mt Hood Meadows (closed).  Timberline is open thru Memorial Day, then operations change to glacier skiing for the summer.  Mt Bachelor is open and they received 10″ yesterday with another 5″ so far this morning. 

In Washington, Crystal Mountain is open for the weekends.  They received 6″, as of yesterday.  Their snow stake has disappeared, so I can’t give you the totals today, but it looks like at least 3.

Tahoe is getting snow today, with a foot or more possible to the northern side, near Donner Summit to Palisades.  The south side of the lake will get snow, as well, but it will be in the 2-4 range.  Expect high winds with gusts around 40 mph with low snow levels (around 4000).  This is well needed moisture for northern and central California,

The pattern continues to cycle, and the storm systems continue to be on time.  This time of year we begin to see the storm tracks recede to the north, with the jet stream.

That is what we are seeing right now, with the storm tracking north of Utah and Colorado.  Northern Utah and Colorado did get a few flakes, but nothing of significance.  

The next storm hits the PNW on the 10th, reaching Utah and Colorado by Friday night and Saturday.  Again, the storm is right on time–let’s see if this one stays far enough south to impact Breckenridge and Arapahoe Basin.

Upcoming Pattern Storms

May 11-12 PNW — May 13-14 Storm hit Colorado all 3 cycles and missed to the north of Utah, in Cycle 

May 17-18 Slider System Missed Utah and Colorado to the north in Cycle 1, but hit in both Cycle 2-3

May 20-21 Last storm of Active West Last Active West storm and transition to the Northern Pattern.  Hit in all 3 cycles for Utah and Colorado

June 5-6 AR 4th Straight for Seattle?

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