4 Feet Expected in California, PNW, Tetons

[Pelican Press 0]

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

4 Feet Expected in California, PNW, Tetons

An active and unsettled pattern will bring several rounds of snow to the western US through the next week, with a few especially strong surges poised to deliver significant snowfall to portions of California and the Northern Rockies, moderate to heavy accumulations in the Pacific Northwest, and lighter amounts in Utah and Colorado.

Overall, temperatures will trend mild at times in the southern half of the West with higher snow levels, while intermittent colder surges keep some valleys and lower passes wintry, especially across the northern tier. Looking further out, medium-range outlooks favor continued unsettled conditions with above-normal precipitation potential over much of the West.

CaliforniaThe GFS is showing staggering totals for Tahoe this week. These totals are probably a bit overblown, especially for lower elevations, but this week will certainly be prolific at upper elevations nonetheless. Credit: WeatherBell

Photo: WeatherBell/Powderchasers

Friday System into the Weekend: Light precipitation will begin to move inland on Friday morning, mainly impacting the northern and central Sierra with rising snow levels initially around or above 5000–6000 ft. Steadier snowfall will develop late Friday into Saturday as a surge of Pacific moisture arrives. Snowfall will be heaviest over the higher peaks of the northern Sierra, but many central Sierra locations should see moderate amounts by Saturday morning. Winds will increase over the ridges, creating periods of gusty conditions and blowing snow at higher elevations.

Saturday Night–Monday Surge: By late Saturday and into Sunday, a more pronounced plume of moisture will focus on the Sierra, bringing a prolonged ******* of moderate to occasionally heavy snowfall. Snow levels may fluctuate between 5500–7500 ft, with periods of rain in some lower elevations. Above this level, snowfall rates could be significant, especially for resorts along the Sierra crest. Winds remain breezy, which could reduce visibility. Lighter precipitation may extend southward into the Mammoth area Saturday night into Monday.

Tuesday–Wednesday *******: While snow amounts may taper slightly early next week, additional surges of moisture are possible into Tuesday and Wednesday, especially across northern and central California. Snow levels may remain relatively high, but additional accumulations are expected in the higher terrain. Winds could remain gusty over exposed ridges at times, impacting the ski experience.

Extended

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

: Medium-range outlooks continue to hint at a moist flow pattern off the Pacific, especially for the northern half of the state, keeping snow threats in play. Higher-elevation resorts stand to benefit most, but any cooler incursions could drop snow levels more substantially if a storm tracks a bit farther south. Temperatures look near or slightly above normal, with unsettled conditions persisting.

California Ski Resort Snow Forecast Totals (Mid-mountain)

NOTE: these totals are highly elevation-dependent, so lower-mountain totals will differ drastically from the totals below.

Sugar Bowl – 37–63” Fri Day (01/31)–Wed Night (02/05)

Palisades Tahoe – 33–56” Fri Day (01/31)–Wed Night (02/05)

Kirkwood – 31–53” Fri Day (01/31)–Wed Night (02/05)

Mammoth – 17–29” Fri Night (01/31)–Wed Night (02/05)

Heavenly – 15–26” Fri Day (01/31)–Wed Night (02/05)

Northstar – 13–26” total Fri Day (01/31)–Wed Night (02/05))

Mt Rose – 11–19” Sat Day (02/01)–Wed Night (02/05)

Northern Rockies

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

ECMWF model is showing very optimistic totals for central Idaho, parts of Montana, and the Teton through February 5, 2025.

Photo: WeatherBell/Powderchasers

Dry Through Thursday: High pressure and lingering inversions keep many mountain valleys dry and cool through Thursday. Sheltered valleys in Idaho and Montana will have chilly mornings with patches of fog, while higher elevations stay mild.

Friday–Sunday Storm: By Friday, a southwesterly flow draws in ample Pacific moisture. Snow will spread into the Idaho mountains first, then expand across western Montana and northwestern Wyoming. Higher elevations, especially near and along the Continental Divide and favored west-facing slopes, will see steady snowfall late Friday through Sunday. Snow levels may briefly rise above most valley floors, though some valleys may see wet snow or mixed precipitation, especially Friday morning. Winds strengthen and may be gusty in the mountains, further impacting visibility and creating areas of blowing snow.

Monday–Wednesday Unsettled Pattern Additional surges of moisture remain possible into early next week, but the heaviest snowfall may shift north or vary depending on the exact path of each wave. Generally cooler air arrives by midweek, which should lower snow levels again and allow on-and-off snow showers in mountain passes.

Extended

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

Late-week guidance indicates continued potential for moisture streaming into the region, with a good chance for additional snowfall in the higher terrain. Temperatures may moderate at times, but brief cold incursions remain possible if a deeper trough sets up. Many ensemble solutions favor continued unsettled conditions for the 6–10 and 8–14 day periods.

Norther Rockies Ski Resort Snow Forecast Totals

Brundage – 28–48” Fri Day (01/31)–Wed Night (02/05)

Grand Targhee – 21–36” Fri Night (01/31)–Wed Night (02/05)

Sun Valley – 20–34” Fri Day (01/31)–Wed Night (02/05)

Jackson Hole – 19–33” Fri Night (01/31)–Wed Night (02/05)

Schweitzer – 15–26” Fri Day (01/31)–Tue Night (02/04)

Bogus Basin – 13–23” Fri Day (01/31)–Wed Night (02/05)

Whitefish Mountain – 6–12” Fri Day (01/31)–Tue Day (02/04)

Bridger Bowl – 6–12” Sat Night (02/01)–Wed Night (02/05)

Big Sky – 5–11” total Fri Night (01/31)–Wed Night (02/05)

Pacific Northwest

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

ECMWF (left) and GFS (right) both showing significant totals for snow accumulation into next week. Both models are optimistic about low-land snow as well, particularly early next week. Credit: WeatherBell

Through Thursday: A ridge hangs on and keeps most of Washington and Oregon dry with periods of high clouds. Light winds and cold nighttime lows persist, especially in sheltered valleys. Snow levels remain relatively high where any minor moisture intrudes.

Friday–Saturday Storm: A moisture-laden system arrives on Friday, quickly spreading light to moderate snow across the Cascades by morning. Snow levels start low enough in the early day to bring accumulations to passes, with precipitation ramping up into Saturday. Some valleys east of the Cascades may start with snow but transition to rain or a wintry mix if enough warmer air moves in. Stronger southwest winds on Saturday could enhance snowfall on wind-favored slopes while also creating breezy conditions over ridges.

Sunday–Tuesday Additional Waves: On-and-off surges of moisture continue through early next week. Each wave could deliver moderate additional snowfall to the Cascades, with a chance of more robust totals if a deeper plume of Pacific moisture pivots inland. Snow levels may fluctuate but are likely to stay in a range that impacts the passes with periodic fresh accumulations.

Extended

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

: Medium-range guidance favors an ongoing unsettled pattern for the Northwest, potentially with more Arctic air dropping south later next week. That might lower snow levels further, but exact timing remains uncertain. Overall, an active scenario continues into mid-February with repeated chances for mountain snowfall.

Pacific Northwest Ski Resort Snow Forecast Totals

Timberline – 27–47” Fri Day (01/31)–Wed Night (02/05)

Mt Baker – 27–46” Thu Night (01/30)–Tue Night (02/04)

Mt Bachelor – 25–42” Fri Day (01/31)–Wed Night (02/05)

Crystal Mountain – 19–33” Fri Day (01/31)–Tue Night (02/04)

Stevens Pass – 18–31” Fri Day (01/31)–Tue Night (02/04)

Snoqualmie Pass – 17–30” Fri Day (01/31)–Tue Night (02/04))

Whistler – 16–28” Thu Day (01/30)–Sun Night (02/02)

Utah

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

The GFS snowfall forecast for the Wasatch. The numbers here feel a bit high, but the general pattern feels about right: higher totals in the north, tapering off as you go south. Credit: WeatherBell

Dry Through Late Week: High pressure and stable conditions dominate through Thursday, with inversions in some valleys resulting in cold nights. Upper elevations remain mild with mostly sunny skies and minimal winds through midweek.

Saturday–Sunday Storm Starting late Friday night into Saturday, a moderate surge of Pacific moisture pushes into northern Utah. Snow levels look fairly high initially, so the central and southern valleys may miss out on significant accumulations. The Wasatch Range north of roughly I-80 will have the best chance for fresh snow, especially Saturday into early Sunday. Totals may be modest, but enough for refreshes on the slopes.

Late Sunday–Monday Minor System: Another minor wave may brush northern Utah later Sunday or Monday, but precipitation looks lighter. Snow levels remain in the mid to higher elevations, with only the highest passes likely to see new accumulations. Winds could become breezy at times over ridgelines.

Extended

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

: Through next week, signals show mild flow continuing, with the greatest chances of precipitation generally north of the state. Warm southwest flow may occasionally sneak moisture into the Wasatch. Periodic light to moderate snowfall events may continue, but widespread heavy accumulations look less likely in the short term.

Utah Ski Resort Snow Forecast Totals

Powder Mountain – 7–13” total (7–12” Sat Day (02/01)–Sun Night (02/02) + 0–1” Wed Night (02/05))

Solitude/Brighton – 6–12” total (6–11” Sat Day (02/01)–Sun Night (02/02) + 0–1” Wed Night (02/05))

Alta/Snowbird – 5–11” total (5–10” Sat Day (02/01)–Sun Night (02/02) + 0–1” Wed Night (02/05))

Park City/Deer Valley – 4–9” total (4–8” Sat Day (02/01)–Sun Night (02/02) + 0–1” Wed Night (02/05))

Related: La Niña Returns With 12-20 Inches of Snow in the Forecast

Be the first to read breaking ski news with POWDER. Subscribe to our

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of skiing. From ski resort news to profiles of the world’s best skiers, we are committed to keeping you informed.

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

#Feet #Expected #California #PNW #Tetons

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up