Hello skiers,
Here we go again. Another big snow cycle is in progress for Thursday.
Expect 1-3 feet of snow in the next 36 hours. Its a tricky snow forecast because there is mild air moving in with this storm.
Overnight Wednesday into Thursday morning, snow levels in the Cascades will be low (500 ft), because of leftover cold air from the past week and cold air flowing in from the east (eastern WA). But all of that will change as Thursday unfolds. The mild air with the invading warm front will get the upper hand and snow levels will rise. By later Thursday morning the snow level will rise to 3,000 to 4,000 ft.
Expect the snow quality early to be very good early Thursday, but start to get a bit grabby, on the lower slopes as the warm air nudges the snow level upward. The mid and upper slopes should remain good. Snowfall will be heavy at times; 1-2 an hour snowfall rates will be seen for a time. Visibility may become a problem. Inbounds sluff avalanches are possible. Be careful, follow rope closures and be aware of changing snow stability and tree wells ski with a partner. It will snow all day. Heaviest snowfall will favor Stevens to the Summit to Crystal to White.
The snowfall will continue Thursday night into Friday morning with the snow level lowering to 2,000 ft that means great new and quality snow for all the slopes. There will be another 6-12 by Friday morning, with snowfall tapering off and better visibility on Friday. There will be light snow during the day on Friday extending into early Saturday.
Saturday will see mostly cloudy skies with a chance of a little light snow. Finally, Sunday and Monday will see high pressure build in strong enough to see some sunshine. There will be most excellent groomers, with improved visibility and fantastic snow.
Next week is leaning mainly dry with high pressure well established over the Pacific Northwest.
Hit the slopes, but take it easy on the road and on the slopes with the heavy snow especially Thursday and early Friday.
Larry Schick
meteorologist
The Grand Poobah of Powder
Here we go again. Another big snow cycle is in progress for Thursday.
Expect 1-3 feet of snow in the next 36 hours. Its a tricky snow forecast because there is mild air moving in with this storm.
Overnight Wednesday into Thursday morning, snow levels in the Cascades will be low (500 ft), because of leftover cold air from the past week and cold air flowing in from the east (eastern WA). But all of that will change as Thursday unfolds. The mild air with the invading warm front will get the upper hand and snow levels will rise. By later Thursday morning the snow level will rise to 3,000 to 4,000 ft.
Expect the snow quality early to be very good early Thursday, but start to get a bit grabby, on the lower slopes as the warm air nudges the snow level upward. The mid and upper slopes should remain good. Snowfall will be heavy at times; 1-2 an hour snowfall rates will be seen for a time. Visibility may become a problem. Inbounds sluff avalanches are possible. Be careful, follow rope closures and be aware of changing snow stability and tree wells ski with a partner. It will snow all day. Heaviest snowfall will favor Stevens to the Summit to Crystal to White.
The snowfall will continue Thursday night into Friday morning with the snow level lowering to 2,000 ft that means great new and quality snow for all the slopes. There will be another 6-12 by Friday morning, with snowfall tapering off and better visibility on Friday. There will be light snow during the day on Friday extending into early Saturday.
Saturday will see mostly cloudy skies with a chance of a little light snow. Finally, Sunday and Monday will see high pressure build in strong enough to see some sunshine. There will be most excellent groomers, with improved visibility and fantastic snow.
Next week is leaning mainly dry with high pressure well established over the Pacific Northwest.
Hit the slopes, but take it easy on the road and on the slopes with the heavy snow especially Thursday and early Friday.
Larry Schick
meteorologist
The Grand Poobah of Powder
