I don't know if any of you are subscribers to Larry Schick's "Powder Alert" but he is very reliable. and guess what? Looks like dumpage ahead. resorts will be skiable by the first weekend of christmas break is my guess!
Powder Watch -
December 10 2008
Finally, Snow at Last
Powder alert for Friday to Saturday.
Snowfall
in the Cascades has been pretty lean for the last month, as high
pressure has blocked most of the storms. It’s been a slow start to the
season. But recall, last year really didn’t get cooking until about a
week before Christmas – then it was great for weeks. Weather patterns
change fast.
All computer forecast models are
showing a major change in the global circulation for the West Coast of
North America starting on Friday. By Saturday, cold air will bring the
snow level to sea level – a little snow in Seattle is possible Saturday
morning.
Friday into early Saturday will see
8”-15” of snowfall in the Cascades. That might be enough for some areas
to partially open, given the snowfall of the last couple of days. The
weather system will move from north to south, spreading snowfall and
dragging in chilly arctic air.
Mission Ridge is
open with snow-making, weekends only, right now. They and will receive
new fresh snow, especially late Friday into Sunday. A favorable “return
flow” of easterly air, which will develop, can often enhance snow on
the east slopes of the Cascades.
Snow level will
drop from 2000 ft on Friday to near sea level by Saturday morning. All
ski areas will get the best dumpage so far this season. And NO rain!
Modest to strong winds could be a factor for local snow distribution
and uneven areal coverage, as snow will be drifting. That can actually
help, as drifts can turn a 12” snowfall into 3ft -- if the drifts end
up in the right place – on the slopes or groomed to better locations.
The downside is ridges get wind scoured with little accumulation. There
may be additional accumulation Saturday and Sunday, mainly central and
south Cascades, as the storm moves southward.
By
later Saturday and Sunday, we are in for a very cold and dry pattern
for about 5- 7 days, as mainly, dry arctic air moves in. The next
chance for any significant additional snowfall is sometime after the
19th, maybe in the days before Christmas.
If you do head up, be prepared for winter driving conditions. Some areas may open. Mission is open for weekends.
Here are my specific forecasts for Cascade snowfall from Friday morning to Saturday morning.
Mt Baker: 12-15” (Check website for status, limited weekend opening possible)
Stevens: 12-15” (Check website for status)
The Summit: 15”-18” (Add 1-3” Sat-Sun, check website for staus)
Crystal Mt.: 10-15” (Add 2-5” Sat-Sun) Check website for status, limited weekend opening possible
White Pass: 12”-16” (Add 3-6” Sat – Sun) (Check for status)
Mission Ridge: 5”- 7” (Add 3-6” Sat –Sun) limited weekend opening in progress, check website
Happy Holiday
Larry Schick
Meteorologist
Pubah of Pow
visit www.skiwashington.com for deals, conditions reports, videos & galleries!
Powder Watch -
December 10 2008
Finally, Snow at Last
Powder alert for Friday to Saturday.
Snowfall
in the Cascades has been pretty lean for the last month, as high
pressure has blocked most of the storms. It’s been a slow start to the
season. But recall, last year really didn’t get cooking until about a
week before Christmas – then it was great for weeks. Weather patterns
change fast.
All computer forecast models are
showing a major change in the global circulation for the West Coast of
North America starting on Friday. By Saturday, cold air will bring the
snow level to sea level – a little snow in Seattle is possible Saturday
morning.
Friday into early Saturday will see
8”-15” of snowfall in the Cascades. That might be enough for some areas
to partially open, given the snowfall of the last couple of days. The
weather system will move from north to south, spreading snowfall and
dragging in chilly arctic air.
Mission Ridge is
open with snow-making, weekends only, right now. They and will receive
new fresh snow, especially late Friday into Sunday. A favorable “return
flow” of easterly air, which will develop, can often enhance snow on
the east slopes of the Cascades.
Snow level will
drop from 2000 ft on Friday to near sea level by Saturday morning. All
ski areas will get the best dumpage so far this season. And NO rain!
Modest to strong winds could be a factor for local snow distribution
and uneven areal coverage, as snow will be drifting. That can actually
help, as drifts can turn a 12” snowfall into 3ft -- if the drifts end
up in the right place – on the slopes or groomed to better locations.
The downside is ridges get wind scoured with little accumulation. There
may be additional accumulation Saturday and Sunday, mainly central and
south Cascades, as the storm moves southward.
By
later Saturday and Sunday, we are in for a very cold and dry pattern
for about 5- 7 days, as mainly, dry arctic air moves in. The next
chance for any significant additional snowfall is sometime after the
19th, maybe in the days before Christmas.
If you do head up, be prepared for winter driving conditions. Some areas may open. Mission is open for weekends.
Here are my specific forecasts for Cascade snowfall from Friday morning to Saturday morning.
Mt Baker: 12-15” (Check website for status, limited weekend opening possible)
Stevens: 12-15” (Check website for status)
The Summit: 15”-18” (Add 1-3” Sat-Sun, check website for staus)
Crystal Mt.: 10-15” (Add 2-5” Sat-Sun) Check website for status, limited weekend opening possible
White Pass: 12”-16” (Add 3-6” Sat – Sun) (Check for status)
Mission Ridge: 5”- 7” (Add 3-6” Sat –Sun) limited weekend opening in progress, check website
Happy Holiday
Larry Schick
Meteorologist
Pubah of Pow
visit www.skiwashington.com for deals, conditions reports, videos & galleries!
