It’s now the Rocky Mountain’s turn. With eastern resorts firing up the lifts after a storm brought cold temperatures and snow in late October, Rocky Mountain resorts are about to have a reprieve from the unseasonably warm temperatures of the last week.
The current moisture laden low pressure system follows directly upon the heels of a fast moving cold front that brought decent snow totals to Utah and a dusting of white to Colorado’s central mountains.
Snowbird chalked up ten inches on top of 11,000-foot Hidden Peak when the first storm front moved through Little Cottonwood Canyon. Forecasts for the area are calling for an additional 1-2 feet this week as the second system passes through the area. Look for Alta to slightly edge out the Bird for total accumulation as that ski area will benefit from its higher elevation.
In the central Rocky Mountains, including Vail and Aspen, the second storm should drop over a foot of snow. This snowfall will be enhanced by local conditions, which will see additional depositions due to wind loading and orographic lift. Areas which have the most chance to benefit will include Vail Pass, Loveland Pass and Berthoud Pass.
Berthoud Pass may also benefit from a fast moving front which will pass over Colorado on Sunday. However, this is a weak system which will have minimal impact on snow accumulation for the year.
The central flow of this week’s low system will benefit Utah and Colorado at the expense of Wyoming, which will see flurries with the most accumulations at altitude. Targhee will be the largest beneficiary, with 8-10 possible. Southern resorts Like Taos will also have to suck it up, with 2 – 3 inch totals.