Report From Powderchasers.com
The upcoming week will probably be heat and deep. The next week to shut out February could be a lot colder with a return of snow to the PNW, Canada and a lot of the Rockies and Sierra. Right here is our newest recap of the continued sample and present storm underway within the Sierra and Rockies.
We’re coming off among the best storm cycles of the season with blower powder within the Rockies migrating to a moist and deep week forward. On Saturday I scored my third straight day of epic situations chasing from Wyoming to Utah. Snowbird reported 8 inches in a single day (Gentle to medium density pow) with 12-14 inch storm totals (Hotter cushion layer fell on Friday). Saturday was certainly one of my prime 3 days of the season that skied like a pillow with 8 inches of feathers. Positive, it was a vacation weekend with crowds, however 90% of the parents driving didn’t know my secret spots.
Beneath: @powderchasersteve scoring some blower pow at Snowbird on Saturday.
Sierra Hearth Hose
Presently on Sunday morning, AR #1 is underway within the Sierra. Telemetry at Palisades at 8K reveals 7 inches of snow. Webcams at SugarBowl present 7-8 inches of moist snow on the base. Telem at Mammoth reveals 5 inches. Kirkwood simply reported 7 inches. Shasta is at 9.
Beneath: Sugarbowl base has round 7 inches of moist snow Sunday morning. Palisades has related totals on the prime of KT.
Backside Line Sierra: Vital snow will probably be falling via midweek within the Sierra with snow ranges usually round 6500-7,00 initially Sunday evening to Monday. The heaviest burst of snow will probably be Sunday evening to Monday with 1-2 ft above 8,000 ft. Base areas will see considerably much less snow. Mammoth Lakes with the upper elevation could be a greater chase with higher odds of base elevation snow and barely higher high quality on the summits (Gained’t open the highest). This isn’t a really perfect chase. Snow ranges lower because the week goes on with a number of reasonable waves famous Tuesday/Wednesday (Rising high quality however nonetheless dense). Avalanche Hazard will probably be very excessive with this storm cycle so count on many closures. You would possibly need to contemplate any chases on Tuesday or Wednesday because the terrain opens and it cools barely.
Beneath: U of U ensembles for Mammoth Ski Space (Mid-mountain) present between 20-50 inches are doubtless peaking on Monday however nonetheless rising at a lesser depth via the twenty first (Tuesday). Larger elevation would possibly even rating some respectable totals from the bottom to mid-mountain.
Beneath: Complete snowfall for the Sierra via Wednesday evening. We predict the southern Sierra or areas on the north facet of the lake would possibly see the very best totals, nevertheless, everybody will seize 2-3 ft at higher elevations with some remoted 4-foot or larger totals (Our guess is Mammoth Summit). It is a dense storm at its peak on Monday.
Rockies: Utah/Wyoming/Colorado Focus
Snow is falling in Utah presently with rising temperatures. Average totals will ensue, primarily within the Cottonwoods by noon Sunday (2-5). Roads are snow-covered in Park Metropolis at press time (Sunday morning) with reasonable snow showers persevering with. Heat temps with an honest moisture fetch will probably be aimed on the Wasatch Vary from Monday evening to Wednesday. Elevations above 7000 ft will doubtless see as much as 25 inches of snow, particularly within the Cottonwoods. It is a surf storm and can doubtless create a number of Avalanche warnings.
Beneath: U of U ensembles for Alta exhibiting peak snowfall from late Monday (February 20) to early Wednesday (February 21). 20 plus inches at mid or higher elevation is cheap.
Beneath: Snow-to-liquid ratios mid-mountain at Alta primarily at 12:1 (Dense) rising to fifteen:1 in the direction of Tuesday or Wednesday (Medium) as moisture decreases. You received’t see blower with this storm however high quality would possibly enhance barely by Tuesday evening.
Temps will decrease barely on Tuesday-Wednesday with an opportunity of some higher high quality on Wednesday. It’s general a heat system. As temps cool from Tuesday PM to Wednesday, there’s some likelihood of some lighter density frosting (Moisture is lowering). Temps general with this storm will vary from the higher 20’s at 8500 ft with mid 20’s at 10K. The bases will vary from 31-33. Wednesday would possibly see a number of levels cooler.
Wyoming is up subsequent with some gentle snow Sunday turning a bit heavier Monday-Wednesday. I don’t count on greater than 5-10 inch storm totals within the Tetons with this storm. Snow ratios begin close to 10:1 and migrate a bit cooler on Tuesday/Wednesday at 15:1. Backside Line: Dense snow, reasonable totals, rising avalanche Hazard with the warming temps.
Colorado is principally out of the circulation, except for the northernmost mountains the place Steamboat may see some gentle snow initially on Sunday/Monday and a bit extra in the direction of Wednesday morning (4-7).
Beneath: Complete snowfall via Thursday subsequent week closely favoring the Sierra vary and Wasatch. Some scattered snow is feasible within the PNW. Average snow is feasible for the Tetons with Idaho wildcards. Northern Colorado would possibly sneak up reasonable or larger quantities midweek.
Our gold sponsor Selkirk Powder Guides had practically 100% of there backcountry terrain open and is reporting good situations in northern Idaho. They need to rating further reasonable snow this week with the potential for heavier snow the next week. They’re offered out for many weekends however nonetheless have midweek slots obtainable (Cat and snowmobile Touring). Please test them out.
EXTENDED POWDER!
A few of the coldest air of the season is famous to method the west late subsequent weekend (February 25) into early the next week. Whereas it’s nonetheless every week away, there are alerts of some vital snowfall to fall in lots of areas.
Beneath: Chilly entrance pushing into the west late subsequent weekend into early the next week (February 25-28).
Beneath: Low stress coming into the west late subsequent weekend or early the next week (February 26).
Beneath: Fantasy map from February 26-28 exhibiting snow returning to a lot of the west together with Canada with very chilly temps. This map reveals 24-hour snow totals all through the interval. We’re nonetheless 7-10 days out so confidence isn’t any higher than 30% presently, however I feel the development is favorable.
