Powderchasers Forecast: Active Week Across the West, Winners Everywhere!

Utah

Precipitation will begin to pick up on Tuesday evening/night in Utah. Snowfall rates will peak early Wednesday morning before sunrise and continue at a moderate clip during the day (4-8). 

Another wave picks up on Wednesday afternoon with colder temps that will linger into the weekend, likely Saturday morning. This will bring weekly storm totals up into the 20-30 inch range for the Cottonwoods (with good potential to exceed this), with 8-15" for resorts further north (Snowbasin, PowMow, Park City etc). These totals will be spread out over the week with several periods of light to moderate snowfall.  

The best days for chasing this cycle in Utah will be Wednesday and Thursday, with the deepest overnight totals. Thankfully, winds will be low in Utah during this whole system, so after avalanche control, resorts should be able to operate lifts on the upper mountains. 

Colorado

Colorado will also do great with this storm system, with southern Colorado being heavily favored.

Precip will start in the San Juans on Tuesday afternoon and will intensify and fill in to the north overnight. Snowfall will linger into Sunday, with small bumps in snowfall rates during the afternoons. 

By the time it's all said and done on Sunday, Wolf Creek will likely be at 35-45", easily the winner in the region. We're looking at 8-15" for the central mountains, 6-12" for I70 resorts (including Vail) and Steamboat (likely slightly more at Steamboat). 

Wolf Creek will be the best chase day with the best day being Wednesday; significant snowfall overnight and steady snow throughout the day on Wednesday. Winds will be light so the upper mountain could operate on Wednesday if they are able to finish avalanche control. 

Check out the model blend totals for Colorado below. You can see just how favorable the southern region of the state will be, but regardless, everyone wins!

Arizona/New Mexico

Arizona is going to see a surprising amount of snow, with the best day to chase double-digit totals falling on Wednesday across the state.

By Sunday, Arizona SnowBowl will see 15-25" and Sunrise Park, located to the southeast, should see 30-40". These are weekly totals with double digits most likely on Wednesday. 

In New Mexico, Taos is going to be the winner, with 20-27" of snow likely by Sunday evening. The best day to chase should be Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Winds will be high on Wednesday and Thursday, so the upper mountain will likely not be open.

Check out lower-atmospheric winds on Wednesday, with Arizona & New Mexico right under the bullseye. Not what you want to see if you want to ski the upper mountain!