Category: Skiing

Golden days of October

Tomer’s take: High pressure remains in control of the West. Mid-atmosphere pressure readings are running 2-3 standard deviations above (higher) the 20-year average. This pattern mirrors the Fall of 2021-2022. When will this change? Some data suggests 10/23. Current Setup Infrared satellite shows the large ridge of high pressure sitting over the Pacific/PNW/West. Crystal clear […]

The snow that wasn’t

Tomer’s Take: Significant snow in Colorado appeared likely based on data a few days ago. Now, that possibility has vanished. Why? It goes to what I talked about in my Winter Forecast: The North Pacific Heat Wave. This warmer than normal ocean water tends to anchor a large dome of high pressure over the PNW/West […]

High mountain snow likely in Colorado this weekend

Tomer’s Take: A series of cold fronts deliver colder air and snow accumulation above treeline Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in Colorado. Below treeline precipitation stays rain. Snow accumulation is possible in all mountain zones above treeline. Some of the biggest totals might occur in the San Juan Mountains. Air temps in the mountains will gradually […]

Gates & Boudreau: Winter Outlook 2022-2023

Tomer’s Take: Meteorologist Cory Gates and Ryan Boudreau released their official Winter Outlook 2022-2023 with heavy focus on Aspen/Snowmass. I featured their outlook last winter and it was incredibly accurate for the Aspen Zone. You can follow and subscribe to their weather updates on Aspenweather.net. I released my Winter Outlook last week. Here’s the full […]

October snow forecast; Fall color update

Tomer’s Take: Two active periods for mountain snow are possible regulated by a ridge of high pressure. Two active periods slightly favor Western Slope zones for higher totals. Best accumulation will occur at higher elevations with melting in-between. Peak Fall color in Colorado is running behind schedule in some mountain zones. My full Winter Forecast […]

Winter forecast 2022-2023

Tomer’s Take: Rare triple-dip La Nina. Multivariate ENSO Index strongest since 2010. Warm blob is back but for how long? Abnormally warm and dry Fall season across the West. Late start to Winter. Large Western ridge of high pressure September 2022 – March 2023. Overall, target PNW, British Columbia, Banff Area, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana […]

Weekend events; Loveland tests snow guns

Tomer’s Take: Remnant tropical moisture slides across Colorado 9/14-9/15. Flash flooding possible. Light snow on the 14ers on 9/14, 1-3 inches. Lingering moisture with a jet streak on 9/16 and 9/17 north of I-70. Jet streak appears weaker today with only a glancing blow to Colorado. Drier, sunny, and gusty on 9/18. Pikes Peak Ascent […]

Mega High then tropical remnants

Tomer’s Take: All-time temperature records continue to fall. Mega high pressure dome running 3 standard deviations above 20-year average. Core of the heat is CA, NV, UT. High breaks down on 9/9. A small high pressure dome re-builds 9/11-9/12. Tropical remnants could affect the West on/after 9/12 through 9/17. After this Mega High breaks down […]

Monsoon done for the season in Colorado with one wrinkle

Tomer’s Take: Southerly flow is drying up and Monsoon appears done for the season in Colorado. Isolated afternoon mountain t-storms are still possible at times. But, these t-storms will be fewer, weaker, and lack the torrential rain we experienced in July and most of August. Monsoon Season in Colorado normally runs July-August. This season featured […]

Sarah Strattan recounts her summit of K2

Sarah Strattan lives, trains, and teaches in Colorado. Making Turns…A Ski Attempt and Summit of K2, Pakistan June 12, 2022 – August 12, 2022 Guest post written by Sarah Strattan This summer I traveled to Pakistan to climb and potentially ski K2, the second tallest mountain in the world. Many people have heard about the […]