Snow Ending, Grand Totals, and What’s Next

Tomer’s Take: The powerful WNW Flow delivered 40-50 inch grand totals to parts of UT and CO. The next storm system is already hitting the PNW/BC with heavy precipitation. It’s part of a strong intensity atmospheric river. This storm system and one behind it move through ID, MT, WY, UT and CO 12/7-12/11.

Grand Totals:

Alta: 49″

Rabbit Ears Pass: 41.5″

Solitude: 35″

Steamboat: 30″

Vail: 23″

Berthoud Pass: 19.5″

*There is one outlier. The Tower snotel (Buffalo Pass) in Colorado is showing over 5 inches of snow-water-equivalent (SWE). A 15:1 ratio suggests 78 inches of grand total snow.

Current Setup

Water vapor satellite shows the strong intensity atmospheric river hitting the PNW/BC. This storm will ride the jet into the Intermountain West 12/7-12/11.

White/Blue = moisture aloft

Red/Orange = drier air aloft

Forecast Atmospheric River

Forecast Integrated Vapor Transport next 7 days valid WA/OR coast at 46.5N/124W.

Forecast Jet Stream

Valid 12/6. Strong intensity AR for PNW/BC.

Valid 12/8. Notice the dip over WY/CO with area of low pressure.

Valid 12/13. Quiet period for Intermountain West with ridge of high pressure.

Forecast Radar & Satellite

Forecast Totals

WY Snow: 12/7-12/8, 12/10-12/12.

UT Snow: 12/7-12/8, 12/10-12/11.

CO Snow: 12/8-12/11.

ID Snow: 12/5-12/7, 12/10.

MT Snow: 12/7-12/12.

Most of this occurs on 12/4.

Storm system 12/10-12/11 is warmer with more rain than snow.

13 thoughts on “Snow Ending, Grand Totals, and What’s Next”

    2. Jessica

      Out of curiosity how often do you post/update. Schedule to go to big sky the 13th but think we might have to cancel 🙁

      1. Jessica

        Didnt mean to post on someone else comment Sorry about that but Disregard. I see you other posts. Looks like no snowboarding for big sky.

  2. Jim Hennessy

    So for Banff Sunshine , as yet it has not been great , yes we are open , but at night when we put the mountain to sleep and patrol is leaving the stream of sparks from the planks , assures one that rock skies are a good choice theses days …🥶 but you do give us hope over the next few weeks my friend

  3. ross silverberg

    Enjoy your emails and videos. Any hope for Heavenly around Xmas time ?

    Thanks ‘

    Ross
    Chicago

    1. christomer Post author

      Thanks, Ross! Yes, I’d say there is hope for Heavenly around Christmas. There is a signal for some snow mid to late December.
      Chris

  4. Maxwell Bischoff

    Hoping for the best for north Lake Tahoe around mid-December! I start work at Palisades Jan 1, and it’s been a dismal start so hopefully we get some precipitation by the time I hopefully (weather dependent) get there.

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