The past three weeks have been a real treat. The snow level has stayed low, and the temperature at the higher ski areas really hasn't been higher than 25 degrees. Much of the new snow fell at temperatures between 18 and 25 degrees -- which is cold for the Pacific Northwest (most of our snow falls between 25 and 30 degrees). So the quality of the snow has been excellent. (No complaints about the quantity either!) I was at Mt. Hood Meadows yesterday afternoon -- the snow was magnificent packed powder.
The weather pattern will be changing slightly as we head through this week... and not necessarily for the better. The storm moving through today is a little warmer. So the new snow won't be as dry & fluffy. And the Wednesday night & Thursday storm looks a little warmer yet... meaning that the new snow from that storm will be thicker and wetter. Avalanche danger will become very high this week with the denser snow overwhelming the deep, fluffy powder beneath it.
It appears as if we'll get a break from the storminess this weekend. A lot of high cloudiness will dim or block the sunshine, but I believe it will stay dry on Saturday and Sunday. It'll be milder yet, as the freezing level may rise above Timberline for the first time in weeks.
My day of choice this week is tomorrow (Wednesday). At least a foot of new snow will greet you in the morning, and the sun may make an appearance or two during the day. Friday doesn't look bad either, but the snow will be a bit thicker & wetter at the end of the week.
Enjoy!
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