Posted April 19, 6:22 am MT 5:22 am PT
Snow Stake Cams
MSLP Surface Chart thru Apr 21
All Snow
Forecast Discussion
Yesterday was an example of a “Wishcast”. All week long the models were showing a range of 4-6 inches and at the last second, boom! Much higher totals and I jumped on it. Sorry, I got caught up in the hype surrounding 900 for Alta. It is a tall task to reach 900 by Sunday. Alta is sitting at 885 with 2 more systems to go before the resort closes on Sunday. I really wanted ten inches out of that storm.
Ok, back to reality. The Utah system is moving through Colorado today and most of the northern, central and resorts along the divide will be in the 2-4 range. Yesterday the bullseye was around Vail/Beaver Creek and that is holding steady today, with Aspen looking a little better. Those favored resorts will be in the 3-6 range. Temperatures will be in the low 30’s through most of the day with highs reaching the mid 30’s late. I am not expecting much, if any for the southern resorts, maybe 0-2, as it will be quite warm, pushing 40 this afternoon.
The next system is already impacting the west coast of Oregon and Washington. That system will deliver 2-4 inches for the northern Cascades with 4-8 inches for the southern Cascades. Relatively cold temperatures with highs in the upper 20’s north and around the freezing point south, at 6000 feet. Winds are moderate with gusts in the 30’s.
This storm moves southeast and hits Utah early Thursday morning. Snow totals are going to be similar to this last event–I am not going to drink the Kool-Aid on this one, so 3-6 inches on average with moderate winds. This storm is going to be colder, so the fluff factor could push the totals higher–fingers crossed.
Alta 15 inches to 900
2 storms left before closing date, Storms 86 and 89
Storm86 1s part of a huge low-pressure system that began in the Gulf of Alaska. The first wave came through yesterday and the next wave hits tomorrow.
Storm 89
I have this storm hitting on Monday, but it will most likely hit on Alta’s last day. I use averaging when making the long-range forecast, based on the storm’s history. This storm has been a “tweener” meaning it has hit a day early and a day late from cycle to cycle. It is a big storm so there will be at least 2-3 days of precipitation. With luck we will still have cold air in place. Could the 900 mark come down to the last day?
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
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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