Quick update Thursday night 

Updated again Friday morning.

10 inches at upper elevations of the Tetons fell on Thursday. Snowbasin had similar totals. The Cottonwoods scored 6-8 inches Thursday and it is still snowing lightly (2-4 new since 5PM). Most of the action will taper in the next hour on Thursday night. Update- Friday morning:  some areas in northern and central Colorado scored 2-6 inches of dense snow Thursday night (surf) 

Below: Snowbasin on Thursday. 

Overall update lowers the moisture totals for the northern Sierra to 7-12 inches with areas closer to Mammoth in the 12-20 inch range. 30% of the moisture falls on Friday with 70% overnight into Saturday. Snow showers continue in the southern Sierra Saturday (Not sure if the summits will open at Mammoth). This storm is colder than the departing storm with decent lake level totals. This is a good storm to chase. 

The weekend will become unsettled again with snowfall on Saturday in the Sierra moving into the Wasatch by 8AM. The low tracks south over the 4 corners by Sunday bringing better chances of decent snow totals to Arizona (ASB). Heavy precipitation ahead of the low will likely be falling in the Wasatch Saturday (Storm ski) and eventually into Colorado.

The latest models in Utah  on Friday indicate SW flow with a bit of warming. The Uinta ranges in eastern Utah can do well here.  Also look for a few surprises at Deer Valley or PCMR but warming will keep snow confined at upper elevations. BCC or even Snowbasin can do well. At this point confidence is low on deep storm skiing (2-9) which is a wide spread.

I can see good storm skiing in Utah Saturday with better totals (Overnight totals) in the southern Sierra. Areas north near I-80 will be respectable also but not as deep. 

Warming will occur Saturday in Utah (Upside down). Temps in the Rockies are warmer than the Sierra and quality could be a bit dense especially lower elevations. Upper elevations of the Sierra might ride a bit better than the Rockies (That's a shift huh). 

Colorado gets teased on the western corridor Friday that could bring 3-7 inches to Steamboat or areas south towards Rifle or even Aspen. This system does not seem great for the I-70 core. It is also warm with rain possible below 7,000 feet. This is purely a teaser. 

The latter part of the weekend will be colder with decent totals returning to Utah and spreading a bit further north into the Tetons (Better odds on Sunday PM versus the Saturday event). Decent totals will pile up Sunday in Arizona with better odds of overnight snow in the Wasatch, Tetons and Colorado for Sunday/Monday. All areas will grab snowfall on this colder wave including southern Colorado and Utah. The bullseye appears to track over Utah and most of northern and central Colorado. 

Most of the bigger numbers in Colorado Sunday night to Monday appear to range from Steamboat through Aspen, and the western resorts on the I-70 corridor (Moderate totals for Summit County). Moderate snow is possible as far south as Purgatory.  

We are still several days out!  Stay tuned to the Chase Powder Forecast. I might not post on Friday. 

Powderchaser Steve 

NEW: Snow Ratio Forecast

You can now get a good idea of the upcoming snow quality for the next storm via our new "Snow Ratio" forecast for any location in OpenSnow.

When we talk about snow quality, such as “light and fluffy” or “heavy and wet”, we are talking about the snow-to-liquid ratio. The higher the snow-to-liquid ratio, the lighter the snow quality, and vice-versa.

1. Go to any location screen and tap the "Snow Summary" tab.
2. Scroll down to the 5-day hourly or 10-day forecast section.
3. View the 5-day hourly or daily "Snow Ratio" forecast for the next 10 days.

10:1 will be fun but will feel a little heavy. 15:1 will offer some faceshots and feel pretty light. 20:1 will be incredibly light, almost like skiing through nothing but air.

This new feature is currently available with the latest version of the OpenSnow iOS app installed (App Store > OpenSnow > Update) or on the OpenSnow website (OpenSnow.com). It will be available in the OpenSnow Android app soon.

View → Snow Ratio Forecast

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