Tomer’s Take

• Snow continues in OR, ID, MT, WY, UT, CO and NM. Additional accumulation likely.
• Powerful jet stream will setup with a favorable WNW orientation and keeps the snow going in UT, WY, CO into 4/14.
• Strong ridgeline and high peak wind gusts 4/12-4/13 in UT, CO, NM running 30-100mph.
• Secondary small storm systems flushes northern CA with new snow on 4/14-4/15.
• A third storm system hits CA, OR, WA, ID, MT, WY on 4/16 with moderate to heavy snow accumulation. It brushes the Wasatch and the northern mountains of CO. Takes a more northern track.

11″ New in the last 24 hours at Alta.

11″ New in the last 24 hours at Brighton.

8″ New in the last 24 hours at Snowmass.

Infrared satellite shows the storm track, WNW jet stream orientation, and storm systems lined-up.

Wind Forecast

Forecast (MPH)	4/12	4/13
Crestone Peak	100	65
Capitol Peak	65	50
Kings Peak	50	40
Wheeler Peak	70	70
Mount Whitney	50	50

Snow Forecast

4/11-4/15:

4/16-4/21:

For more analysis please watch my forecast video:

Tomer’s Take

• Snow is underway across the Tetons. Next stop is the Sierra, Wasatch and Colorado Rockies.
• A strong jet stream will keep mountaintop winds blowing 30-80mph (or higher) 4/11-4/12 in CA, CO, UT, NM. Winds flare again in CO and NM on 4/13-4/14.
• Significant totals likely through 4/15 at mid and higher elevations.
• Another storm system arrives 4/16-4/18.

Snowiest Days:

Tetons: 4/11-4/12, 4/15-4/16

Wasatch: 4/11-4/13, 4/15-4/17

Colorado Zones: 4/12-4/13, 4/17

California Sierra: 4/11, 4/15-4/17

Infrared satellite shows the active storm track and Pacific storm systems.

Wind Gusts

Gusts in MPH	4/11	4/12	4/13
High Sierra	75	45	50
Kings Peak, UT	60	40	40
Pfeifferhorn, UT	60	60	35
Mount Elbert	50	60	45
Longs Peak	45	65	55
Crestone Peak	70	95	60
Wheeler Peak, NM	60	65	65

Snow Forecast

4/11-4/15:

4/16-4/20:

Colorado Central and Northern Zones, 4/11-4/15:

Wasatch, 4/11-4/15:

For more analysis please watch my forecast video:

Tomer’s Take

• A series of storm systems will track across the West through 4/17 with significant Spring snow.
• Many lower elevation mountain basins have started the Spring melt process. These storm systems will put the brakes on that melt and recharge higher elevation snowpacks before the melt re-engages.

Timing for bulk of snow:

• Wasatch: 4/11-4/14
• Tetons: 4/9-4/14
• Colorado Zones: 4/9, 4/11-4/13, 4/15
• California Sierra: 4/11, 4/14
• NM: 4/12-4/13

Water vapor satellite shows the storm track and Pacific storm systems lined-up. Red/orange = drier air aloft.

Snow Forecast

4/9-4/17:

Wasatch, 4/9-4/17:

Central and Northern Colorado Mountain Zones, 4/9-4/17:

Tomer’s Take

• Active storm track for the Intermountain West through 4/10 with numerous minor, fast-moving storm systems. Snow levels could run high at times. Significant grand total high elevation snow possible.
• I don’t see much for California.
• Beyond 4/10, a large dip in the jet stream might overtake the West including California. This could mean colder and stormier than normal. One last surge of “Winter”.
• Colorado normally reaches maximum snowpack the first week of April then the big Spring Melt starts. The forecast snow and cold for the second week of April might delay this melting.

Infrared satellite shows the current storm track and storm systems lined-up.

Beyond 4/10

It’s possible a big dip in the jet stream and lower pressures overtake the West. Below, notice the forecast pressure anomalies valid 4/11-4/12, Euro interpretation. This could mean one “last gasp of Winter”.

Snow Forecast

4/1-4/3:

4/4-4/10:

Northeast, 4/1-4/10:

For more analysis please watch my forecast video:

Tomer’s Take

• A series of minor, fast-moving storm systems race through the Intermountain West through 4/9.
• A larger storm system hits the Pacific Northwest 4/3-4/5 with significant high elevation snow accumulation.
• April storm systems are normally warmer and snow levels run higher.

Infrared satellite shows the storm track and storm systems lined-up.

April

April is the snowiest month of the year at numerous mountain sites. Take a look at this graphic from Climatologist Brian Brettschneider, PhD:

Snow Forecast

3/31-4/3:

4/4-4/9:

Northeast, 3/31-4/9:

For more analysis please watch my forecast video:

Tomer’s Take

• 2-3 different fast-moving, minor storm systems hit the West through 4/8.
• These are warmer storm systems with higher snow levels at times.
• Spring skiing is in full swing.
• Most ski areas start closing in April (see below).

Water vapor satellite shows the storm track and storm systems lined-up.

Closing Dates

Colorado ski area closing dates: https://www.coloradoski.com/resort-season-dates

Resorts staying open later: https://www.onthesnow.com/news/ski-resorts-open-in-may-june-july/

Snow Forecast

3/30-4/3:

4/4-4/8:

Northeast, 3/30-4/8:

Tomer’s Take

• A warm March storm system is moving through the Intermountain West. Snow levels start high then gradually drop. This will cut down on overall accumulation.
• The biggest totals occur in Colorado above 9,000ft where 4-12″ is possible.
• A second smaller, minor storm system races through 3/31-4/1.
• A similar small, minor storm system races through 4/3-4/4.
• All three storm systems lack significant cold air.

Infrared satellite shows the storm track and storm systems lined-up.

2″ of new snow at Snowbird and Alta. Another 1-2″ possible.

Snow continues at Wolf Creek where 12″ is possible by Noon Wednesday.

Snow Forecast

3/29-3/31:

4/1-4/7:

Northeast, 3/29-4/6:

For more analysis please watch my forecast video:

Tomer’s Take

• Abnormally warm temps are likely this weekend across the West with 50s and 60s at the base of many ski areas.
• High pressure stays in control through 3/28 then a storm system hits CA and moves east, 3/28-4/1. Confidence is low on what happens after 4/1.
• This storm system runs into a very warm airmass and precipitation starts as rain in some mountain valleys before changing to snow.

Infrared satellite shows the storm track and high pressure anchored over the West.

After 4/1

Confidence is low with mixed data, but it’s possible high pressure rebuilds across the West. This is one possible outcome.

Snow Forecast

3/25-3/28:

3/29-4/3:

This outcome assumes a stormier pattern after 4/1 rather than high pressure rebuilding.

Northeast, 3/25-4/3:

For more analysis please watch my forecast video:

Tomer’s Take

• Big high pressure builds across the West through 3/28. Abnormally warm temperatures likely. Spring skiing is in full swing.
• Then a storm system hits CA on 3/28 and moves east into ID, MT, WY, UT, CO, NM 3/29-4/2.
• This storm system will run into warmer temps and some of the precipitation will start as rain or a rain/snow mix in many mountain valleys.

Infrared satellite shows the storm track and high pressure building in across the West.

3/28-4/2

High pressure breaks down after 3/28 as a storm system moves into the West. Below, notice the forecast pressure anomalies on 3/29.

Snow Forecast

3/24-3/28:

3/29-4/2:

Northeast, 3/24-4/2:

For more analysis please watch my forecast video: