I’m forecasting moderate snow accumulation across the Tetons including Jackson Hole and Grand Targhee ski areas over the next 24 hours.

Snow was also falling at Schweitzer in Idaho as well.

A cold front is generating this snow. It’s next stop is Colorado between Friday night and Saturday.

Friday is opening day at Eldora Ski Area in Colorado. My friend Cole Noble wrote a blog post about it and spoke with Sam Bass of Eldora.

I’m forecasting light snow accumulation in the Central and Northern Mountain zones.

Here’s my snow forecast map showing totals between now and 5am Monday.

Looking down the road, there is another storm system possible around Thanksgiving. The jet stream dips and delivers a cold front to the Intermountain West. Snow would be possible in Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and Colorado between Wednesday-Thursday.

One storm system is lined-up for the Intermountain West this weekend (mainly Friday-Saturday). I’m forecasting minor snow amounts at most ski areas with a couple exceptions including the Tetons. Right, this storm system is hitting the Pacific Northwest.

We’ve seen this kind of minor, fast-moving, and moisture starved storm system a few times this Fall across the Intermountain West.

Is there anything more substantial on the horizon? Looking down the road to Thanksgiving there is another dip in the jet stream and storm system across the West.

Between now and 5am Monday here’s my snow forecast across the West, click to enlarge.

Partial Lunar Eclipse Friday Morning 11/19/2021

The longest duration partial lunar eclipse in over 500 years occurs early Friday morning 11/19/2021. It’s slated to last 3hrs and 28mins. The peak happens at 2:03am MT.

However, I’m forecasting partly to mostly cloudy skies in Colorado. Here’s the forecast satellite image for Friday morning, click to enlarge.

A storm system currently over the Pacific Ocean will move into the West Coast/PNW then into the Intermountain West between Friday-Saturday. Right now this storm system appears minor for most ski areas with a few exceptions.

A minor cold front is currently racing through Colorado. Snow amounts across the Central and Northern Mountains are light, generally 1-3 inches.

Looking ahead to the weekend, the jet stream will usher that Pacific storm system into the West. Minor accumulation at most ski areas except for the Tetons and higher volcanoes of the PNW where moderate to heavy amounts are possible. Here is my mid-mountain snow forecast through Sunday at 5am, click to enlarge.

Northstar at Tahoe and Heavenly Ski Resort are both pushing back opening dates. Palisades Tahoe (formerly Squaw/Alpine) opened early, then closed, and will re-open November 24. In Colorado, Steamboat will delay opening until November 27. The common thread? A lack of low-elevation snow and warmer than normal temperatures. Base elevations at all three resorts run 6200′-6900′ where air temps have routinely warmed into the 50s and 60s this Fall.

Also on the delayed list are Solitude in Utah and Telluride in Colorado.

Due to recent warm weather, opening day will be delayed. We're optimistically targeting 11/23. Fortunately, temps are dropping, and we’ll be making snow every chance we get. Watch this space — and think snow! Lodging guests affected by this change will be contacted directly. pic.twitter.com/PUd4suw7Tx

— Solitude Mountain Resort (@SolitudeMTN) November 16, 2021

The 11/16/2021 delayed list:

• Northstar
• Heavenly
• Palisades Tahoe
• Steamboat
• Solitude
• Telluride

A new study (November 2021) from the University of Toronto says the atmospheric freezing level (Troposphere) is on the rise. This makes lower elevation ski areas more susceptible to warmer temperatures, melting, fluctuating rain/snow lines, and ultimately later openings. Higher elevation ski areas would fare better.

The Tahoe announcements came on social media.

While we were hoping to ski and ride with you this weekend, Mother Nature had other plans with some warmer temps. We work hard every year to meet our targeted opening dates, but we’ll be pushing back just a bit this year. 1/2

— Northstar California (@Northstar_CA) November 15, 2021

While we work hard to meet our target opening dates every year, there is only so much we can do when Mother Nature is in control. 1/3

— SkiHeavenly (@skiheavenly) November 15, 2021

The hot spot this weekend is the Pacific Northwest for heaviest precipitation with only light snowfall across the Intermountain West. Notice on the satellite image where the blue/green clouds are located: PNW and British Columbia. Red/orange colors represent drier areas.

A large dome of high pressure will shield California from any significant snow over the next 7 days. Looking further down the road, the high pressure might start to break down late mid to late next week. Here’s a look at the storm track on Wednesday of next week 11/16-11/17.

As for the Intermountain West (CO, MT, WY, UT, NM), i’m not forecasting much snow this weekend. Next week there are two fast-moving, minor storm systems lined-up.

Here’s my snow forecast, click to enlarge:

My raw forecast data table, click to enlarge:

Another 6 inches fell at Loveland Ski Area with more on the way. I’m forecasting this northwest flow through Friday morning across the Central and Northern Mountain zones of Colorado.

In Colorado this NW Flow is magical. It’s early season but it’s still having an impact. I’m forecasting additional snow accumulation through Friday.

In the Pacific Northwest, the flow remains wet with impulses of heavy precipitation. The rain/snow line will be going up Thursday before going back down Friday.

Freezing Level (FT)	11/11	11/12
Whistler/Blackcomb	4K to 8K	6K to 4K

How much additional snow? Here’s my forecast including 3-4 feet on Mountain Rainer over the next 72 hours.

Mid-Mountain (Inches)	11/11	11/12	11/13
Whistler/Blackcomb	5	4	6
Mount Rainier	16	35	2
Jackson Hole	2		2
Steamboat	2	2	<1
Loveland	3	3	<1
Winter Park	2	2	<1
Crested Butte	<1
Red Mtn Pass	<1
Copper Mtn	1	<1
Snowmass/Aspen	<1
Breckenridge	1	<1
Eldora	2	1
Alta	<1	<1
Revelstoke	<1	3	3