Snow has tapered off in most places, although it isn’t out of the question to see light snow continue for a few more hours in the high elevations. We are now in a 36-hour break before the next system arrives tomorrow (Monday) night. Snow totals range from 5-8″ in Park City. 10-16″ in the Cottonwoods. 15-20″ in the Northern Wasatch. And 6-13″ for the mountains of S. Utah. This was very close to the original forecast with the only difference being that the northern Wasatch slightly over-performed and Park City slightly under-performed. But the forecast going in was 8-16″ and when you average all the totals out, we fall right dead in between those numbers.
The next system will move in tomorrow night and is looking good. It isn’t as strong of a system as this last one but is forecasted to take a very similar track and will be just as cold, so lake enhancement will once again be a possibility. The majority of the snow will fall between 10 PM Monday night and 8 AM on Tuesday, with scattered snow showers during the day Tuesday. Tuesday should be another good powder day! Right now we are going to forecast 5-10″ for the Cottonwoods and Northern Wasatch with 3-8″ for Park City resorts.
Ridging then starts to build in, although we might get brushed by a system on Thursday–at best just a some clouds and chance for a few flakes. Ridge will then hold strong through next weekend into next week. The next chance for a revert to stormier weather will be the second week of March.
WSF
Hi WSF. With high pressure building by next week, do you anticipate that the ridge will last throughout March or is it possible that another storm cycle will develop? Thanks for any insight. Keep up the excellent work!
Posted by Anonymous | February 24, 2013, 4:41 pmThe ridge looks like it will last through at least the first 5 days of the month . . . beyond that, it’s impossible to know for sure. There are some signs out there that the ridge will break down during the second week of the month. It is highly unlikely that the ridge will last through the entirety of the month. March is generally one of our snowiest months in the Wasatch.
Posted by wasatchsnowcast | February 24, 2013, 4:47 pmThanks so much. Is the Monday/Tuesday storm still looking promising for the Cottonwoods, with potential lake effect bands setting up?
Posted by Anonymous | February 24, 2013, 6:38 pmIt is still looking like it has the potential for 5-10″ in the Cottonwoods, less elsewhere. Lake enhancement is possible, but I’m not as confident in a lake effect band.
Posted by wasatchsnowcast | February 24, 2013, 6:46 pmWSF, great job with this last storm. You guys were pretty much spot on! Your forecasts are among the most reliable that I have seen. Are any of the long-range models suggesting more storms for March. Are you concerned that the building ridge will last for weeks like it did in January? Thanks!
Posted by Anonymous | February 24, 2013, 7:48 pmsee first question and comment.
Posted by Anonymous | February 24, 2013, 8:03 pmsee first ? and answer
Posted by anon | February 24, 2013, 8:04 pmSome the standard 7 day sites are showing some snow possible 3/4 or so… but seems warm too? Are the Mts in for some rain coming up?
Posted by Sam | February 24, 2013, 9:53 pmToo early to know… there is a weak system that is showing up in one of the models around the 4th, but it doesn’t look overly warm at this time.
Posted by wasatchsnowcast | February 25, 2013, 6:47 amI heard LOTS of birds early this morning in Salt Lake City but i couldn’t say what type of birds they are!
Posted by Joni | February 28, 2013, 2:01 pm