Above Average.......

Northstar picked up another 32 inches in the last 24 hours bringing the storm total to 45 inches. It also brings the season total to 343, just 7 inches shy of the seasonal snowfall average. We should surpass that today and be above average on the season. We are almost halfway through the 5 day storm and there is a lot more snow coming!

We have an interesting storm pattern developing for today through Saturday. First off we will see the heavy snow move in a little earlier than expected as it arrives this morning with the low strengthening off the coast. The storm will drag another front through Tahoe today and then that front is going to stall tonight over the area. Tomorrow the front will tilt perpendicular as energy pushes into Southern CA so the flow will be more from the South than the West. Then as the low rotates East into Nevada tomorrow night and Saturday the moisture flow will wrap around from the East.

I will break down the projected snow totals pretty simple since we should pick up around .5-.75 inches of liquid every 12-18 hours. In the Village 6-9 inches today, 6-9 tonight, 6-9 Friday, & 6-9 Friday night into Saturday will add up to another 2-3 feet by Saturday. On the mountain 9-15 inches today, 9-15 tonight, 9-15 Friday, & 9-15 Friday night into Saturday will add up to another 3-5 feet by Saturday. 5 day storm totals by the time we clear out on Sunday should be in the 4-5 foot range in the Village and 6-9 foot range on the mountain.

Things clear out on Sunday and the next storm for Monday and Tuesday is still trending far enough off the coast that we only see clouds and maybe a few flakes. Another inside slider storm for Wednesday and Thursday will bring cold and maybe some light snow showers. Next week looks to be more cold than snowy with mostly off and on snow showers throughout the week.

The following weekend the ridge, that is pushed a little East in the Pacific next week by a strong low, looks like it will redevelop back out around 160w South of the Aleutians. That would bring the return of stronger storms with more moisture and over water trajectory. Stay tuned.......BA