Posted March 2, 6:37 am MT 5:37 am PT
Snow Stake Cams
MSLP Surface Chart
GFS All Snow
Forecast Discussion
The storm is moving out of Lake Tahoe this morning, there are still some lingering snow showers this morning, on the webcams at Palisades, Mt Rose, and Heavenly. The timing of this cut-off system has been a little challenging.
Heavy snow fell for Utah resorts overnight for a nice “Ride the Storm Day”. Although the snow won’t be as heavy as was projected yesterday. Expect modest totals throughout the day today with another round of heavy snow tonight. The road to Alta and Snowbird is currently closed and is projected to open around 8. Check the websites for updates.
The storm moves into western Colorado this morning, reaching Powderhorn around lunchtime and the San Juans a little after. There will be noticeable change in wind conditions as the front arrives, so be prepared for high winds. The central mountains get started around 2, northern mountains around 3 and the divide resorts, Arapahoe Basin and Loveland around lift closure, or 4 pm.
LRC Model Prediction for Colorado thru April
Looking into April for Colorado resorts. There looks to be some good storms moving in April, as the jet stream begins to recede. We will keep you posted as these storms begin to show up.
The storm systems have weakened all year as they approached Colorado, running out of energy. The thinking is that the storms will begin to be larger for Colorado, as a more traditional track is likely once the jet stream begins to move north. That would mean less snow for California and more snow for Colorado.
Forecast
Utah
Today
Moderate snowfall today with periods of heavy snow. Winds will be light, between 10-15 mph at base level and moderate at summit, between 20-25 mph with 30 mph gusts. Temperatures will be cold with windchills in the low single digits.
Tonight
Heavy snow with 1-2 feet expected at some resorts. Temperatures in the mid-teens.
Friday
Heavy snow in the morning with moderate winds between 15-20 mph. The snow will begin to taper off around lunchtime and the sun may come out late in the day. Temperatures will be in the low 20’s, at base level with windchills in the single digits.
Next System Sunday Morning
Colorado
Ridgetop Wind Map (click to animate)
Today
Warm and windy before the storm arrives at the aforementioned times. Winds will be picking up as we get closer to the front to arrive, from the southwest, between 20-25 mph with 40 mph gusts, ridgetop gusts in the 50-60 mph range. Snow will gradually move in with the western and San Juan resorts with light totals likely before the lifts close.
Tonight
The heaviest snow falls overnight with the northern resorts in the bullseye. There could be a Steamboat surprise tomorrow. Below is the probabilistic snowfall projections from the NWS.
Saturday
Scattered snow showers possible as any lingering waves of snow move through. Winds pick up again in the strong category, between 20-25 mph with 35 mph gusts.
Colorado Calendars thru May
Utah Calendar To Date
Tahoe Calendar
Below is the Lake Tahoe Calendar we published back on February 2nd. I have gone back and took a look at the calendars to see how we have done. The green squares are on the Long-Range Forecast prediction chart. Yellow squares are storms that have hit at least one cycle. Red Circles and X’s are misses and the Blue brackets are storms that have hit at within one day.
I am really happy with this calendar. We have tried to figure out the Lake, as it is on a different type of cycle, due to its location away from the general pattern jet stream. We are improving, the patent pending model has made forecasting Lake Tahoe easier.
Long-Range Forecast Predictions are out thru April
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
