Nov 27- Start dancing! Larry says cooler temps but no snow yet.

Andrea Hamilton
3 days ago
4 min read

Hello skiers and snowboarders,

We’ve seen new snow pile up with lower snow levels the last couple of days. It looks like a few inches to maybe up to 10” of new snow has fallen in spots, depending on the area, elevation and slope. And as promised, all slopes including lower slopes, got a shot of snow – but it’s just not enough so far.

Snow levels today will be up at 5,000- 6,000 ft (upper slopes) with little new snow (trace 1”) and mainly rain (lower slopes) increasing later today and tonight. Sadly, we still won’t have enough snow to open this weekend.

However, we do have some hope in the long-range forecast.

We’ve had near normal precipitation in the NW for the last 30 days. The problem has been high snow levels, with a consistent flow of mild air from the southwest. That is what has caused the air to be warmer than normal for the entire Pacific Northwest for the last 30 days. Also, there is background long term global warming which also played a supporting role, with a degree or two of warming.

We are wrapping up this latest storm cycle tonight, as the weather will turn colder with more sunshine by Saturday and Sunday.

The air flow will turn from the southwest to coming from the northwest, which will be a bit drier and cooler.
Unfortunately, little or no new snow will fall in the drier air. That adds up to a cool and dry spell for a few days.
The ski areas which have snowmaking will be able to start producing snow as the air gets colder.

The mainly dry weather pattern will be with us into next early next week, with a chance of a little snow on Tuesday. The best hope for significant new snow is late next week. It’s too early for much detail or confidence but some models are indicating a robust NW mountain snow cycle in about a week (Dec 6 - 8). Let’s hope for that one.

A big thank you to Michael who will start with these snow updates this Sunday. He will have the latest on any favorable pattern shift to more snow for late next week.

See you on the slopes this winter.

Your Grand Powder Poobah of Powder,

Larry Schick

Meteorologist

Whistler / Blackcomb is now slowly opening up with a good snowpack in the mid and upper elevations but bare in the base areas. There is limited terrain, and lifts open right now. No lifts are open in the bowls and upper alpine yet, but I am sure it’s packed with snow back there.

See below how 4-5,000ft of vertical can make a huge difference from no snow in the Village to snow covered lower alpine at Whistler/Blackcomb.

We have mostly reliable precipitation in the Northwest, but snow level is everything for skiers and snowboarders in the Pacific Northwest.

“Altitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.”

— Amund Nicholson (inspired by Winston Churchill)

Above: Whistler, BC Skiing yesterday in the alpine, Wednesday 11-26-25

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