Jan 3, 2025
GFS thru Jan 14th
This model run displays all precipitation by type.
GFS 24 hr Snowfall thru Jan 14
This model run shows snowfall over a 24-hour period.
Euro and GFS Total Snow thru Jan 10th (click/animate)
This model shows total accumulation from each system throughout the period selected.
Regional Snowfall thru Current Sytem
Short Range Snowfall Totals
These are probabilistic snowfall charts from the National Weather Service.
PNW
A moderately strong wave moves into the Pacific northwest today with decent temperatures and snow levels for the northern Cascades. Expect 5-10 for Crystal, Snoqualmie, and Baker. The snow moves out late in the day or early evening and will likely have scattered snow showers on Saturday with 1-3 probable.
In the southern Cascades it’s looking a little better than yesterday. Temps are still warm and will start out sh…ty, but snow levels will drop in the early afternoon changing the rain to all snow. We’ll have 1-3 feet by Sunday, but someone has to sacrifice and ride in the freezing rain this morning to pay heed to Ullr. Tonight, it’ll be all snow action with 5-10 expected for Mt Hood, Bachelor and HooDoo. Saturday, another round of 6-10. Saturday night 4-8.
Lake Tahoe
A fast-moving storm will hit the Lake Today and drop 6-12 for areas along the crest–Palisades, Kirkwood, Sugar Bowl and Donner. It will begin warm this morning and drop as the front arrives. Strong winds expected to be in the 20-25 mph range with 40-mph gusts. Ridge top winds in the 60’s. Central, east and west resorts should be in the 4-8 range.
Utah
Beautiful and warm today with light winds. The storm moves in tonight and this one is a good one, but it’ll be gone in a flash. Expect 2-4 by first chair at Alta, Snowbird and Brighton and then we’re looking at a “Ride the Storm” day with heavy snow. Bring your clear lenses. Expect 10-16 for the Cottonwoods with a little more in the early evening before moving out. Brian Head, your still screwed, maybe 1-3–hang in there spring should be good. Next system Monday.
Colorado
Clear skies and warm before the storm as the system will move in Saturday morning. This storm is looking, I can’t say favorable, but better, for the southern part of the state where some of you are in panic mode. I think these next two systems will go a long way to helping, but like I said above in the Utah section, hang in there, it’ll be good in the spring when the cut-off systems return–northern New Mexico included. The southern resorts should have 6-10 by Tuesday.
I’ll have better guidance tomorrow, but it is looking like 6-10 for the northern mountains, 4-8 for the divide, and 3-6 for the central and southern mountains.
Next system hits late Monday, and the models are improving on snowfall amounts. Again, I’ll have the projected snowfall chart for tomorrow thru Wednesday. Below are select long-range charts from the European Ensemble to give you a sense of what is coming.
Long-Range Euro Ensemble Chart thru Jan 21
These are 24-hour Total Snow charts. The bottom graph shows the snow totals by day, divided into two parts. Note, the storm occurs a day before the line begins to rise, because it is the total of the snowfall thru 24 hours. It’s kind of confusing.
Snowpack Update
Percent of Median
Westwide Snotel
Water Year to Date and Snow Water Equivalent (SWE)
Long Range Forecast Predictions
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