Snowfall Report:
One inch of new snow had fallen on the mountain as of 6 AM. But it continues to snow and pile up this morning.
Monday Storm:
The snow continues t through the day on Monday and then tapers off Monday evening. Highs in the 30s at the base and 20s up top. Winds gusting up to 100+ mph up top which should close several lifts. The strong winds will be blowing the snow around and make it feel even colder than the air temperatures.
By Tuesday morning we could see 5-9 inches of fresh snow at the base, and 9-16 inches on the mountain.
Tuesday – Wednesday:
We stay cold with highs in the 30s at the base and 20s up top. Some sun and clouds are expected on both days. There’s a chance for scattered snow showers, especially Tuesday afternoon into Tuesday night. Only a dusting to an inch of new snow is expected.
Ridgetop winds could still be breezy with gusts from the west up to 40+ mph up top Tuesday & 50+ mph Wednesday. Increasing later in the day ahead of the next storm.
Wednesday Night – Thursday Storm:
The next storm moves in Wednesday night into Thursday with more snow for the mountain. The snow should move in during the evening with snow overnight into Thursday, and snow showers could linger until Thursday evening before clearing Thursday night.
It stays cold with highs only in the 30s at the base and 20s up top. The winds crank up again for Thursday with gusts from the southwest up to 80+ mph up top. That will likely close some lifts again. The snow levels should start out well below the base. They could approach the base or just above as some warmer air works in Thursday with some rain mixing in at the base.
We could see an additional 1-5 inches at the base and 5-11 inches on the mountain by Thursday evening.
Friday – Saturday Storm:
During the day on Friday, we could see a break between storms with some sun and clouds. Highs into the 30s. Ridgetop winds from the southwest could dip during the day with gusts only up to 40+ mph but then increase again later in the day ahead of the next storm.
Friday night into Saturday, and possibly into Saturday evening, the next storm is expected to push more rain and snow into the northern Sierra. This storm could start warmer with snow levels above the base in the 7000-7500 ft. range Friday night. They could stay in that range until a cold front drops them below the base Saturday afternoon.
Highs are only in the 30s with ridgetop winds likely gusting high enough up top to close some upper mountain lifts again on Saturday. We could see rain change to snow at the base and the lower mountain Saturday afternoon into Saturday evening, and then the snow clears out Saturday night.
Early estimates are for 2-5 inches at the base and 6-15 inches on the mountain. If this forecast holds we could see 2-3+ feet of new snow on the upper mountain by Sunday morning.
Long-Range:
We should see nicer weather for Easter Sunday as the sun comes out, the winds drop-down, and highs warm into the 40s at the base. The nice weather should continue into next Monday.
The pattern could become more unsettled again starting next Tuesday the 19th through the end of next week. Another storm is possible next Tuesday and again next Friday the 22nd. We’ll continue to watch the trends for each as we get closer.
BA
