1/25/2021
Game on in California. Utah and Colorado continue to see leftovers with the San Juans receiving big totals.
There’s no sugar coating it, the first month of 2021 has been rough for ski resorts in California. But as we turn the page to February, the resorts surrounding Lake Tahoe along with Mammoth Mountain are forecasted to see biblical snowfall totals thanks to an atmospheric river that is currently pushing into the Great Basin, bringing with it “several feet of snow” to the higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada.
Related: Reserve your spot on the mountain this season with RSVP – Refundable Ski Vacation Packages
And California is not alone. The current pattern will also deliver lots of snow to Utah’s Wasatch Mountains including Snowbird, Park City, and Deer Valley, where it is also currently snowing. Colorado will also benefit yet the models are still a little uncertain as to timing and intensity. With that disclaimer out of the way, most of the resorts of central and southern Colorado should see anywhere in the 6-12 inch range with the northern mountains of Steamboat and Winter Park to get less. That said, The Boat just picked up a surprise 6 inches this morning, and snow remains in the forecast.
We'll be watching the snowpack build up across the west this week with a seies of storms moving through. They'll also bring very strong winds and treacherous travel conditions so check https://t.co/VyWINDk3xP before you head out on the road! pic.twitter.com/82CEpiU5C3
— National Weather Service (@NWS) January 25, 2021
Top 5 48 Hour Snow Totals [USA
- Taos, NM – 12″
- Alta/Snowbird, UT – 11″
- Telluride, CO – 10″
- Squaw Valley, CA – 8″
- Mammoth Mountain – 8″
California:
Heavenly:
Kirkwood:
Mammoth:
Colorado
Telluride:
Utah
Alta:
Snowbird:
Deer Valley:
Park City:
New Mexico
Taos Ski Valley:
NOAA SHORT RANGE FORECAST DISCUSSION:
Across the Southwest a separate system is currently bringing heavy snow to the higher elevations of Arizona and Utah. Snowfall amounts greater than afoot in most locations will create dangerous travel conditions. This storm system is then forecast to enter the central Plains by Wednesday morning and race toward the southern Appalachians by late in the day on Wednesday. Light snow can be expected from the central Plains to the lower Ohio Valley. Moderate snowfall amounts up to 6 inches will be possible Wednesday night across the southern Appalachians.
Not to be outdone, a major winter weather event is on the way for northern and central California by Tuesday evening. Heavy lower elevation rain, mountain snow, and gusty winds will overspread the region Tuesday night and much of the day on Wednesday. Snow levels across northern California are forecast to start as low as 500 to 2500 feet, before slowly rising Wednesday. Meanwhile, flash flooding and debris flows from nearby burn scars will be a concern on Wednesday along the central California coastline as upwards of 7 to 10 inches of rain could fall. Higher up in elevation, whiteout conditions due to extremely heavy snowfall rates are possible across the Sierra Nevada. Several feet of snow will add up through Wednesday night, with road closures and travel delays likely.
Get ready for fresh tracks. Ski.com’s Mountain Travel Experts are here to help you plan and book everything for the perfect ski vacation. Call 800-610-8911 or fill out a brief form to receive a quote in your inbox >>.