Hello Skiers,
Today we can expect dry and cool conditions. Then we will slowly start to see some major changes. Starting late Thursday night into Friday morning, warm air will slowly move up from the south. The good news is that we will first get some new snowfall of up to 8 inches tonight through early Friday afternoon.
With cold air trapped at the pass levels and at the lower slopes, much of the Washington West Cascades will see a wintry mix of snow/rain and some freezing rain. The best plan is to get out early Friday!! The freezing rain on Friday will likely arrive late in the afternoon for Mt Baker and Whistler. Furthermore, we are not expecting any freezing rain on Friday for 49 Degrees North and Silver Mountain, just snow.
Early Saturday, snow levels rise for Washington West Cascades, White Pass, and Mission Ridge. These areas will have a wintry mix of snow/rain and some freezing rain. However, even with this wintry mix, many forecasts are showing 6 to 10 inches of new snow. Freezing rain should stop by later Saturday. However, 49 Degrees North and Silver should be getting just snow; 4 inches of new snowfall and no freezing rain.
For Sunday, snow levels are perhaps close to 6000 to 7000 feet. So we will be looking at some moderate rainfall for much of the mountains.
Photo from Sean Harvey and here is his update:
“Three glorious days at Summit Central (Dec 19-21). Daytime temps in the low to high teens to mid-20s. Heavy snowfall (about 12 inches) on Tuesday. Closed Snoqualmie Pass but kept the lift lines small. Wednesday was beautiful; groomers and partial sun. While coverage is good, there are still exposed tree branches on steeper slopes. Also, beware of small creeks and streams. These typically don’t get fully covered till later in the season. With the low temps snow consistency is fairly dry. Hero snow!"
This warmer pattern will be in place through the upcoming week and models (see map below) keep this pattern through January 4. However, this is an extended outlook, and things can change.
This wet pattern will continue with the above-normal precipitation through January 4. Given the much above-normal snowpack that much of Washington enjoys, we are not anticipating our snowpack to erode much.
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12-20-22. Alice "I'm good. I got my Xevo's. Year 3 on these lenses. Best ever!"
Another skier at Summit Central: I can't see anything. I'm all fogged up."
Beautiful, fluffy snow. Does it even get better than that? Visibility was fair, but not that bad. Good coverage in most areas. Silver Fir: Early day, Outback was closed. Hogwild had some good turns, with small trees in the center.
FYI: This season XEVO is giving away up to $$1,000 in goggles. Yahoo!
12-20 at Summit Central and Silver Fir.
Definitely a day for good goggles. Heard on the hill “…I can’t see a thing, I’m all fogged up!”
