Powder Alert
Nov 21, 2015 11:13 pm

Blinding sunshine, skiers are making turns today
Whistler, Crystal, Mt Baker and Sun Peaks (BC) all open with limited early season operations and conditions

Dry weather, then snow - but no epic snowfall ahead

The computer forecast models have been consistent in depicting the upcoming weather pattern. When I see that consistency, I have high confidence it will happen. Expect dry, cool and mostly sunny weather over the weekend, as high pressure produces dry weather this weekend. However, the high pressure gives way to snow on Monday (SL 3,000ft) A developing weather system and cold front will produce 2-7 of new snow in the Cascades, on Monday and Tuesday. Snow level will be dropping to 500-1000ft by Tuesday. The weather front will also usher in more frigid air, assisted by chilly air blasting out of the Fraser River drainage in BC and spreading through western Washington.

Sadly, high pressure with dry, chilly weather will settle back in over the NW, after the modest snow of Monday and Tuesday.

I must admit, the late week dry pattern is a little disturbing. I guess I am still a bit sensitive when I see a stubborn ridge of dry high pressure on the forecast weather maps -- considering the spanking we got last year. Ill get over it. It stems from when I was a kid and the weather seemed to be just right every day. Nowadays it doesnt really matter how much I root for a snow weather pattern, nature just delivers what she feels like. I have to let it go.

Your Grand Poobah of Powder
Larry Schick
Meteorologist