Hello skiers and snowboarders,

Happy Holidays!

 

Expect some nice early season skiing ahead, with sun at times.

 

  • Dusting on the higher peaks on Friday
  • Slopes should be above the low clouds, bathed in sunshine
  • Temps in the 20’s with some low 30’s
  • I'm cautious about a new storm next week

This is one of those ski seasons to celebrate. Anytime we are mostly open to ski for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend is good news. Many areas will be open this weekend but be sure and check schedules and what lifts are spinning. There is plenty of snow. It’s some of the best early season coverage in many locations we’ve seen in years. The snow is good, but there may be thin spots with early season snow coverage. 

 

Be careful driving up, there are areas of dense fog and low visibilities, plus the chance of some freezing areas on the road, especially over elevated highway sections, near wetlands. Most ski slopes should be above the low clouds and fog, bathed in sunshine with million-dollar Cascade views. There could be a dusting on the higher peaks on Friday, with a weak storm brushing the North Cascades.  

 

High pressure is building in and that will mean mainly dry with at least partly sunny skies on the slopes. Expect wonderful early season skiing and snowboarding. Temperatures will be in the 20’s, with some low 30’s. Winds will not be a problem. The dry pattern will be with us until at least next Tuesday. 

 

By the middle and end of next week a new storm is coming. I am being cautious about this new storm. My concern is the snow levels. The new storms will draw moisture and warmth from northeast of Hawaii. Let’s watch the snow level on this next one, it might be headed upward for a brief window of a rain/snow mix

 

Models and official outlooks show we continue headed toward a borderline weak

La Niña. Officially, right now we remain in the neutral phase. We are slow in getting to the threshold of La Niña, which is indicated by cool, tropical mid-Pacific waters. The outlook remains; a respectable winter snowpack is on the table for the Northwest. However, because of this slowed trend in getting to a marginal La Niña, there is less confidence in La Niña being able to nudge the total seasonal snowpack into well above normal depths. But remember, for the Northwest, even a normal (neutral) snowpack signal is good.

 

Enjoy some good turns and have a great holiday with family and friends.

 

The Grand Poobah of Powder

Larry Schick, meteorologist 

 

P.S. Start saving your best pics for a Season Kickoff Photo Contest.

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