Posted May 3, 6:39 am MT 5:39 PT
MSLP Surface Chart thru May 6
All Snow
Forecast Discussion
Continued chances of snow throughout the west at the storm system works its way through. Sierra snow levels today are around 6500 feet and base level temperatures in the low 40’s with light winds.
In Utah, light snow is expected today and through Wednesday of next week, with the best snow hitting Saturday. Expect an inch or two each day with 2-4 on Saturday.
Colorado has a small wave that is passing through this morning that might produce 1-2 inches, and tonight thru Saturday morning will have scattered showers with minor accumulations.
Next Thursday
We are tracking a system, on the GFS, for Colorado that is pretty large, especially for this time of year. Right now, it looks to dump a foot of snow in spots. So, how does this storm fall in line with the pattern, let’s dive in and break it down.
Today
There is a break in snowfall this morning but by around lunchtime, the next wave will move in from the south and deliver another 3-5 (above 8000) before tomorrow morning. High temperatures in the mid 30’s at 6000 ft and mid 20’s at upper mountain. Moderate winds 10-15, with 20 mph gusts. Ridgetop gusts in the mid 30’s.
Tomorrow
Thursday will be similar to today, with the exception of colder air from the backside of the storm. There should be a break in the morning with the next wave occurring around lunchtime. High temperatures in the low 30’s at 6000 ft and low 20’s at upper mountain. Moderate winds 10-15, with 25 mph gusts. Ridgetop gusts in the low 40’s.
Colorado
Today
We finally have snow on the snow stake cams for Loveland and Arapahoe Basin, although not very much. Snow chances continue every day this week with the best chance on Thursday and Saturday. Temperatures will be warm today with a high of 50 at base level for the divide, with a low of 30 tonight. Light winds throughout the day, with gusts near 15 mph.
Tomorrow, snow showers possible in the morning with light winds with slightly stronger gusts around 20 mph. Below is the expected snowfall totals thru Friday.
Thanks for reading the blog, as always if you have any questions feel free to comment below, or send me an email to Mike@FutureSnow.CO
If the Long-Range Forecast Prediction Chart were to continue thru May, the dark blue dates would be on the chart. The other shades are the storms that occurred through an amplified part of the pattern.
This time of year, the pattern is lifting to the north and east, so there is no guarantee that the storms will reach Utah or Colorado, but they will be there and if they miss, they will likely miss north and east.
Open Resorts
Utah
Snowbird, Solitude and Park City
Colorado
Breckenridge, Arapahoe Basin, Copper Mountain, Winter Park and Loveland
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
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