Hello skiers,

The Cascades continues to get pounded by rain, but there is a white light at the end of the tunneland its not a speeding train its new snow.

A second warm atmospheric river with snow levels 8,000 9,000 feet is causing rain to fall on all ski slopes this Sunday. The snowpack has partially melted. But it wont totally wipe us out. Plus, new snow is coming by soon.

By Monday morning colder air and plunging snow levels (5,000 to 2,000ft) will see all the slopes receive new snow. Lower slopes will see 2-7, mid and upper slopes will see 5-12 new, by Tuesday as the moisture starts to run out. Then we see clearing and cold. A convergence zone will linger snowfall at aimed at Stevens, so expect more snowfall there, possibly extending to The Summit.

Well see a couple of days (Tue & Wed) of partly sunny and chilly weather, then a renewed chance of snowfall by Thursday and into the weekend. Right now, the additional snowfall Thursday through Sunday looks modest (4-12), but everything helps. Plus, its looks like more snow next week.

Hard to say who will open by Thanksgiving. There is more snow in the extended forecast, and now it will be cold enough to make snow. Whistler, definitely looks good (opening day: Nov 25) All resorts have a reasonable chance, considering the active weather pattern and the power of snowmaking. I remain optimistic.

Larry Schick
meteorologist
Grand Poobah