Winter Isn't Over in Alaska: 30+ Inches Forecasted

Combined Wed Night + Thu Day: Expect around 4–8 inches around Girdwood/Alyeska (slight forecast differences suggest a possible higher end).

SLRs in the low double-digits mean moderately fluffy powder—not pure blower, but definitely worthy of some surfy morning laps. Thompson Pass will likely see higher totals (around a foot or more) with generally similar snow density.

Friday (4/11/25)

Combined Thu Night + Fri Day: Alyeska could stack up another 4–6 inches, still fairly light. Not a massive dump, but enough to refresh the slopes. Winds could pick up in the afternoon, so aim for earlier turns.

Saturday (4/12/25)

Combined Fri Night + Sat Day: Minimal new snow (under 2 inches total). Unless you’re chasing leftover pow, this might be a rest day or a chance to explore lower-angle terrain. Decent coverage remains from prior storms, but no big refresh here.

Sunday (4/13/25)

Combined Sat Night + Sun Day: This is the weekend highlight, with 7–12 inches possible at Alyeska. The night portion comes in with an SLR near 10 (moderate-density), then transitions to slightly heavier snow on Sunday day (SLR around 7). You’ll still want the snorkel if the higher end verifies, but note that the snow will become denser by midday.

Monday (4/14/25)

Combined Sun Night + Mon Day: Another decent shot of 6–11 inches is on tap. SLRs bounce back into moderate territory (9–11+), suggesting quality powder—especially for the Monday morning bell. Winds may stay breezy, but if they remain in check, expect plenty of soft turns.

Tuesday (4/15/25)

Combined Mon Night + Tue Day: Only around an inch or two tops. Not enough to warrant a dedicated chase, but existing coverage should still ski pretty well if conditions stay cold.

Storm Summary

Good: Multiple storm impulses keep refreshing the snowpack. Cold enough temps most nights should help preserve stashes.

Bad: Some heavier snow periods (especially Sunday daytime) may create variable conditions. Also watch for gusty winds affecting ridgelines.

Wildcards: Convective showers could boost local totals if a stronger band sets up. Slight discrepancies remain between forecast data and on-ground reports, so keep an eye on updates—particularly around Girdwood versus Thompson Pass totals.

Discussion:

Moisture continues streaming in from the Gulf, slamming into the coastal mountains and dropping significant snow from Portage Valley to Thompson Pass. Through Thursday afternoon, Thompson Pass is the star with 12–14 inches expected, while Portage Valley and Whittier will see around 10+ inches. Farther inland (Girdwood/Alyeska area), storm totals between Wednesday night and Thursday look closer to 4–8 inches—enough to keep slopes refreshed.

As we push into Friday and Saturday, widespread showers persist, though accumulations back off a bit. Winds may pick up at times from the east-southeast, potentially causing drifting on higher terrain. Sunday brings another punch of moisture from the southwest, boosting totals by day’s end.

Expect moderate-density snow transitioning to heavier snow rates midday Sunday, especially near the coast. By Sunday night into Monday, colder air helps fluff things back up, making Monday morning a top contender for deeper turns in the Girdwood zone. Farther south, areas like Turnagain Pass could see similar patterns—short lulls followed by convective bursts—so watch local forecasts for the best microclimate jackpots.

Extended Outlook:

Looking into mid-April, high pressure and ridging are forecast over much of the western Lower 48, but parts of Alaska (particularly western Mainland and Southeast) remain in a cooler, snowier pattern. The takeaway: another storm or two could still sneak into South Central Alaska before spring finally starts winning out. Keep an eye on the forecast, as this unsettled stretch isn’t done yet.