Western snow this week

Tomer’s Take

  • A storm system hits ID on 2/14, WY/MT/UT on 2/15, and CO/NM on 2/16. This is the largest storm system is 30+ days. Some of it’s energy is spent battling a large dome of high pressure.
  • Storm system only brushes CA with light snow, but could pave the way for a better snow chance down the road.
  • High pressure rebuilds for a few days.
  • A second storm system follows the path of the 1st around 2/20-2/23. This could be the stronger of the two storm systems with colder air.

Infrared satellite and storm track shows the high pressure currently being dislodged. This is the key to the 1st storm system. It will carve a path for a 2nd storm system around 2/20-2/23.

Infrared satellite 2/14/2022 5am.

2nd Storm System

Looking down the road, a second potentially stronger system follows the path of the 1st storm system. Below, notice the size of the trough and forecast pressure anomalies valid 2/22/2022.

Forecast pressure anomalies valid 2/22/2022, GFS interpretation.

Snow Forecast

2/14-2/20:

Inches of total snow 2/14-2/20.

2/20-2/23:

Inches of total snow 2/20-2/23.

Northeast, 2/14-2/23:

Inches of total snow 2/14-2/23.

Snow plume forecast, Jackson Hole:

Inches of total snow over time.

For more analysis please watch my forecast video:

19 thoughts on “Western snow this week”

  6. Joel Bunge

    We are considering postponing a snowmobile trip to catch the second storm considering your thoughts on the productivity of the 2 systems. Any updates to the above predictions, or are they still tracking the same? -Thanks in advance for the thoughts!

        1. Joel Bunge

          Open to other areas though, we are coming from the midwest so we chase the better snow.

        2. christomer Post author

          Hi Joel – Wolf Creek looks really good between now and 2/24. I’m forecasting a couple feet of new snow 2/22-2/24 at Wolf Creek. Chris

  7. Chad DiMarzo

    Thanks for all you do! One of the best in the industry. Things are looking better for my trip to Big Sky next week, keep the storms coming!

    1. christomer Post author

      Hi Chad – yes! First storm sets up the 2nd. 2nd storm looks stronger and colder with most of the snow falling on 2/20. And, maybe some light snow on 2/24. Send me a photo from your trip! Chris

    1. christomer Post author

      Thanks, Craig, I would says as of right now 10-12″ in Steamboat with the 2nd storm system. It does look colder with more wind and that could push numbers up. A more southern track could pull the numbers down. We’ll see where the balance point is in the coming days. Chris

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