Snowfall Report:
We were expecting 1-3 inches of new snow from the weak system that move through Friday. The storm over-produced slightly with 4 inches of new snow being reported up top and 3 inches at the base. That brings the season total to 107 inches on the upper mountain.
Saturday:
Expecting clearing skies Saturday with highs in the 30s at the base and 20s for the upper mountain.
Sunday – Monday Storm:
The next cold system drops down from the north on Sunday. We could see partly sunny skies Sunday morning. Then increasing clouds and winds Sunday afternoon with southwest winds gusting to 30+ mph up top. Light snow showers could move in Sunday afternoon with steady showers possible Sunday night into Monday.
Even colder air expected with highs in the 20s down to the base and maybe only teens up top Monday. That will bring powdery snow and high snow ratios. We could see an additional 3-6 inchesof snow at the base, and 4-8 inches on the mountain by Monday night.
Tuesday – Thursday Storm:
We will likely see a break during the day Tuesday. We could see partly sunny skies in the morning and increasing clouds through the afternoon. Highs in the 20s at the base and teens up top.
A strong storm will be taking a position off the West Coast Tuesday night into Wednesday and will direct a stream of heavy precipitation into the Sierra. That should bring heavy snow Tuesday night into Wednesday. Snow levels look to stay below the base along with strong winds up top gusting to 70+ mph. We could see 2-3 feet of new snow by Wednesday evening.
The question is then what happens with the moisture plume. Some forecast models shift it well south of the area with just scattered snow showers Wed night into Thursday. Other forecast models suggest the moisture plume shifts just to the south Wednesday night with steady snow continuing and then shifts back north with heavy snow Thursday.
The difference would be either 3-6 inches of additional snowfall or another 2-3 feet of new snow. So we will have to watch the trend on the models closely to see what happens with the position of the heavy precip streaming into the Sierra. Either way, a decent Sierra snowstorm.
Long-Range:
The long-range models show more storms possibly moving in the weekend of the 30th and into early the week of the 1st. We will be tracking each system and fine-tuning the snowfall and details as we get closer.
BA
