The golden days of October roll on. Snow is ending at Tahoe and Mammoth, CA, but wind continues to blow. This fast moving, windy cold front hits Utah next then Colorado. Gusts on the higher peaks will increase to 30-60mph. Utah’s Wasatch Front should do well with this particular flow. Less accumulation in Colorado. Location […]
Tag: Meteorologist Chris Tomer
Mountain weather update 10/16: On the horizon
There is one storm system on the horizon for the West early next week. Overall, it’s not major and the pattern doesn’t look as active as last week. Whistler/Blackcomb, BC will do the best with the jet stream positioned favorably. You’ll also notice some snowfall in my forecast below for Tahoe ski areas and Mammoth, […]
What happened at the 2021 DC Peaks 50mile race?
I work for race directors and climbing/skiing teams as a meteorologist in mountain settings, so i’m very familiar with how this process works. The objective is risk management. My approach is to put a spotlight on any potential bad weather, alert the race director, and then runners get an email blast with a forewarning so […]
12″ New Snow Alta, Snowbird
The first of two storm systems delivered a foot (or more) of new snow to Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah. The 2nd storm system arrives late Wednesday and runs through Thursday. In Colorado, this same storm system arrives today. I’m forecasting 2-6 inches at the ski areas with storm #1. Similar additional amounts with storm #2. […]
A-Basin starts making snow; More in the forecast this week CO, UT, WY, MT
Stellar crystal sight this morning with A-Basin making snow. The ingredients all came together with a few inches of new natural snow and colder temps in the teens and 20s. I’m forecasting a good week ahead for the intermountain West including Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, and Montana. A stronger, colder front will drive through Tuesday-Thursday […]
Snow hits CO, UT, WY
Just like that October moves the atmosphere towards winter. The first of two cold fronts delivers snow. Air temps on Loveland and Berthoud Passes will drop through the 20s for the rest of the weekend. Wind gusts by lunch should clock 50mph. A second cold front next week looks stronger and colder.
The Golden Days of Fall
I love Fall in Colorado. It’s one of the driest parts of the year, temperatures drop, afternoon t-storms end, and I usually advise anyone attempting FKT’s (fastest known times) to shoot for September or early October before consistent snow and wind take up residence. Fall color is a gift. It’s a short window of visual […]
Snow possible in Colorado’s mountains this weekend and next week
A dip in the jet stream could bring snow to Colorado’s mountains this weekend and next week (10/9-10/15). Amounts this weekend appear on the lighter side, but next week they could be a touch higher. This more active pattern would also benefit the higher mountains of Wyoming, Utah, Montana, British Columbia, and Alberta. Here’s a […]
We be peepin’
Leanne and I took a road trip and found vibrant Fall Color. I don’t recall seeing so much orange and red. We did a big loop from Denver to Hoosier Pass to Frisco then back to Denver. Cloud cover made the trip and photos even better. We were lucky to see moose out gathering their […]
Capitol Peak snow; Is it termination dust?
Snow now covers Capitol Peak and the Elks. Will this end the climbing season for most Summer climbers? The Alaskan phrase for this phenomena is “Termination Dust”. I suspect the answer comes down to how much risk climbers are willing to shoulder. Other peaks that are less technical like Quandary (“walk-ups”) will continue to be […]