Nov 14- The real scoop: cooling ahead, light snow.

Hello skiers and snowboarders,

Cooler temperatures with lower snow levels coming, but is enough moisture left?

I am looking for a cooling trend later in the weekend with decreasing snow levels. Lately, it’s been a tad mild with little new snow on only the highest slopes this week. It's mainly been raining on the limited existing thin snowpack.

Don’t expect much new snowfall and most of it will be north Cascades over the weekend with the snow levels rather high 7,000 – 8,000 ft over most of the Cascades, but lower at Baker and Whistler (5,000 – 6,000). There will be some (2-6”) accumulating snow there.

The glimmer of good news is the overall trend later Sunday into early next week is for cooler weather. However, the moisture for us cuts off, with a splitting storm track going south into California and north into BC and SE Alaska.

We often have issues with the up and down snow levels in the Northwest. The roller coaster snow levels tend to be most frequent early in the season, as the offshore Pacific Ocean cools more slowly than the continental land masses. The storms crossing the ocean pick up the leftover summer warmth from the ocean. For us it often adds up to an unsteady start to our ski season.  

I know it can be frustrating when planning your first turns, but it takes time. Weatherwise we need more natural snowfall with cooler temperatures for snowfall on all slopes, but the change is slow.

Colder temperatures come from two sources for us.  First, as the nights get longer it’s generally cooling off in fall and winter. That is always a predictable pattern every year. What isn’t as predictable is the second factor. A big driver of snow levels is weekly or daily storm cycles. On top of the overall winter cooling, each storm has a variety of cold and warm sectors, with changing snow levels as it moves along. That is what causes our short term up and down snow levels.

Snowmaking can help. But you still need cold enough temperatures, generally less than 28 degrees. Snowmaking is also dependent on low humidity. Best snowmaking is with dry and cold air. Plus, not all ski areas have snowmaking.

I think we can all agree, snowmaking does help fill in some well skied areas, but natural snow is really what makes the magic with coverage and quality. It's why we are all here.  Certainly, natural snow produces our enchanted powder days.

The Grand Poobah of Powder

Larry Schick – meteorologist

Graphic shows total snowfall in the next few days – but it will be mainly in the next 24 hours. Snowfall mainly in the North Cascades and BC.  Note: the Sierra gets hammered. 

FYI: Don't miss Zoom on Wed, Nov 19. Scroll for registration link.

❄️ZOOM on Wednesday, Nov 19 at 7:00 pm.

We're teaming up with our friends at NW Ski Council.

Larry will share what La Niña means for your 2025–26 winter, plus insights from Big White Ski Resort.

👉 Zoom link- register in advance

It's a little early to start watching webcams, but here's what you can do.

Winter Prep

• Vehicles: Check your tires, replace windshield wipers and refill your window fluid. Mountain Go Bag, emergency flashers and other essentials.

• Apparel: gloves, goggles, helmets, basics apparel. Need NikWax? Wash your stuff.

• Equipment: tunes and boot work.

• Stoke: Winter films, Club events, or plan your own Stoke party!

Holiday Gift Giving

Support our sponsors. Make your Wish List or do your shopping early so you have time for playtime when the lifts start spinning.

Sponsor Announcements (They help keep the Powder Alert free)

The Hall. All You Can Eat Crab Feed, Dec 1, 2, and 3. Choose your location. Buy your ticket now. Occidental Hall near Lumen Field, Queen Anne Beerhall, Moss Bay Hall in Kirkland. Family friendly. Great food, beer, people and community. Events list

AAA of Washington. There’s no “one size fits all” here. We offer different levels of membership. As a member have you ever browsed the Perks? Last season, I looked for the first time.

Alpine Physical Therapy. Our go-to PTs (they fixed up Larry)! PNW skiers and experts in outpatient orthopedic and neurological rehab and sports medicine.

Sturtevant's in Bellevue. Ready-Set-Snow event thru Nov 9th. Get your gear ready, do the boot fitting and visit the tune shop. Get your pre-season checklist

Vertical Grind.  Give the gift of coffee to your Snow-Loving friends. Adventure inspired coffee. First Ascent, Open Road, and Switchback. Locally owned by Powder People!

XEVO Optics.. Save 50% use code: powderpoobah. Shop online, choose model, lens, and strap. Shipped from Washington. 

ZEEKS Pizza - Roll into winter with Zekes Pizza. Stop by Issaquah Highlands. Lots of locations, 25! Seattle, Tacoma, and Bellingham. Plan a Pizza Party at your fav location.

Proliance Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine. Bellevue, Issaquah, Redmond, and Seattle. Comprehensive care from injury to rehabilitation.

Silver Mountain Resort. Do you know about the Water Park? Check out their deals, pass perks, and trail maps. Kellogg, Idaho. Save on winter lodging.

49 Degrees North. Buy your season pass. Details here. Plan your visit. Chewelah, WA. Read my trip notes here. An hour north of Spokane.

Crystal Mountain Resort.. Available now: Day tickets. Coming Oct 23rd: rentals and lessons. Plan your trip. Check the deals, because it's going to be Winter soon!

Crystal Mountain Hotels. Book now. Stay slopeside in one of their three hotels, an easy walk to the gondola. Includes parking. Dog-friendly.

IGNIK Outdoors. New RIPPLES rechargeable hand warmers. DEAL!!! One week only buy one, get one 50% off. Now thru Nov 15th.  (Not available with other discounts). Put these next to your heated socks and vest. Cool propane camp stoves. Save 25% use code: POWDER25. 

Woolly Clothing. Save 20% use code: powderpoobah. Seattle. Shop online, the best merino wool clothing for year-round outdoorsy living and stylish around town-wear.

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Thanks for reading!

Andrea