Yeah, it’s been a weird start to the snow season. Tough to predict, warm, all over the place. In many El Nino years, southern areas of the U.S. will get heaps of snow while the Pacific Northwest and parts of the Rockies stay dry. This time around, it’s all over the map. And after this last storm, which we reported was going to be warm, many U.S. resorts resembled blocks of ice. Like Whistler, above.
Snow levels were supposed to stay above 8,000 feet early this week, which is high. “Skies are clear, mid-30s, calm winds, and no precip today,” wrote Mt. Bachelor on Instagram, thankful it wasn’t rainy. “Recent moisture made snow fast so it’s best to stay on the groomed trails.”
Resorts are fast out West. Check the vlog above from Rise & Alpine. James Pavelick gives us a really good look at how icy Whistler was after all the “moisture.” (See rain.) Things are scratchy out there right now.
But a little help is on the way. Powderchasers says a storm system with better quality snow is bearing down on the Sierra, the Pacific Northwest, and Rockies, although it won’t be overly deep (4-8 inches during the holiday weekend). And there’s a chance an atmospheric river sets up next week. But forecasters are still watching the temperatures on that system. Stay tuned.
