Powder Alert
NW Weather Update Nov 9
The weather has been active in the last six weeks, but the mild weather has kept the snow levels a bit high. We’ve had tons of rain, but also unseasonable warm weather. The reason for the warmth is the way the storms have been moving in, leaving their cold air in the Gulf of Alaska, but drawing mild/moist air from the subtropics into the NW.
There was a little snow this Sunday morning above 4000ft, but overall we only have a minor amount of snow above 5000ft. Generally we need 2-5ft to get the slopes open and that typically that takes 2- 4 good storms with snow levels 3000-4000ft. The good news is that can happen quite quickly here in the NW – I have seen it develop in 5-7 days.
There is mainly a dry pattern seen on the computer models, with a few weak/mild/wet systems, for the next 5-7 days.
The good news is the computer models show a much more active pattern with some lower snow levels the last half of November – but there is a greater uncertainty with that long range forecast.
Time to psych up for the season — submitted for your consideration, later this week:
Ski Dazzle – Seattle
Nov 14th 15, 16
Century Link Field Event Center
Again — A BIG thank you! When you are out shopping for great skis and ski gear
please support and thank our home-grown sponsors: Ski Washington, K2 and Outdoor Research
LJ Schick
meteorologist
