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Dec 4- Up to 10" for Mid-Slope on Saturday

  • Writer: Andrea Hamilton
    Andrea Hamilton
  • 23 hours ago
  • 5 min read

DAILY DOSE OF DAYDREAM


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Hello skiers and snowboarders,


Short Term Forecast

For Friday through the weekend, we are expecting a series of weather systems to move in and out of our region. The biggest forecast challenge is predicting the snowfall. The reason for this is that snow levels will bounce around over this period. At times as low as 3500 feet and other times briefly up to 6500 to 7000 feet.


Friday, we will have moderate rainfall for the lower slopes and windy conditions. So, this isn't an optimal day to ski. However, as of this writing, Mission Ridge is the only ski resort currently open in Washington. The official opening day is today. However, you should confirm this before you go.


On Saturday, conditions improve with snow levels at 3500 to 4500 feet. The map below highlights the snow totals for the day. Many of the ski resorts in the West Cascades (Baker-Stevens-Snoqualmie-Crystal) should get up to 10 inches for the mid to upper slopes. The Baker area could see higher totals.


Then on Sunday, we will have snow levels between 4000 to 5000 feet. Thus, the lower slopes will moderate rain at times, but the mid-slopes will have some snow.


SNOW HIGHLIGHTS

  • Friday Up to 4" for upper slopes, mainly Mt. Baker

  • Saturday Up to 10" for mid to upper slopes. Some snow on the lower slopes

  • Sunday 4" to 8" inches for the mid to upper slopes.


    Slopes - Elevation General Guidelines

  • Lower Slopes - Under 4000'

  • Mid-Slopes - 4000 to 5500'

  • Upper-Slopes - Above 5500'


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Extended Outlook Monday, Dec 8 to Wed. Dec 10


The question is once again, "When will the ski resorts open?" Well, sadly, the forecast for Monday to Wednesday is for an Atmospheric River (AR) aimed at Washington and Oregon. The map below depicts this. An AR is when high water vapor content is transported from the south into our region. Thus, we get moderate to heavy precipitation. However, snow levels will change at times, and we can see some moderate to heavy snow to some extent on the mid slopes and certainly for the upper slopes. Thus, some good news.


After Wednesday, forecast models are suggesting much colder conditions with snow levels dropping to 2000 feet by Friday, December 12. Let us see if this occurs. We will update you this coming Sunday, December 7, with the snow conditions.


Michael Fagin

Meteorologist


Forward this to a Powder friend.


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P.S. Don’t miss:

  • Sponsor Shoutouts -Holiday gift giving.

  • VIDEO Ski Date Emergency - Meet the Oracle part 1

  • EVENT: Meet Larry, Wed, Dec 17. Moss Bay Hall in Kirkland. More below.

  • Slop Stories. Read one, send one.


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  • The Hall. Sports bar, family and dog friendly. Brunch in Kirkland Sat & Sun. Great food, beer, people and community. Events list

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EVENT ALERT: Wed, Dec 17

Meet Larry, connect with skiers and riders, and pick up some Poobah swag.

RSVP on Eventbrite so we can have a head count.

In Kirkland, at Moss Bay Hall. Address: 111 Central Way.


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Welcome to Slope Stories: Celebrating the People Who Shape Our Mountain Community


Slope Story: George Heinrich.



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Born: Czechoslovakia in1932.


Let me tell you why George is my skiing inspiration.


My name is Howard Slauson. I sing in the Seattle Mannskor with my friend George Heinrich.


George was born in Czechoslovakia in 1932. He grew up cross country skiing around his village. Then the Germans invaded.


Luckily he and his family survived the war and occupation. But he hated living behind the iron curtain under soviet rule. It took him three attempts to escape.


He managed to immigrate to the United States and lived in California in Colorado and never stop skiing. Eventually, he moved to Seattle and worked as a machinist building fishing boats in Ballard.


He never stopped skiing. He aged and lost his wife, but found brotherhood in the chorus. I’ve been fortunate to ski with him at Stevens Pass although he likes Whistler and Blackcomb more. First time I skied with him I wanted to take some pictures. So I skied down on the backside of Steven’s and went to get my phone ready and zoom! He was already going past me. We plan on making a few turns together this year. 


George is a very humble man and a poster child on how to grow old gracefully.


Send your Slope Stories — people, memories and the moments.

Or share the story of someone who inspired you.

Reply here or click for details. I get them all.

Thanks,

Andrea


NEW: Sign up to get a text message when the Powder Alert goes out.


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Keep doing your snow dancing!

Thanks for reading.

Andrea


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