Image credit: NOAA
A new “atmospheric river” will hit California during the Thanksgiving Holiday week with promise of (more) snow for the Sierra. If early forecasts are on the nose, powder hounds at Mammoth could be set to feast on the deep while the rest of the country gears up for the busiest travel day of the year. As much as 38 inches are predicted to blanket the Southern Sierra, according to several sources.
“California will see snowfall from Monday morning through Tuesday night. Most of the snowfall will fall in the southern Sierra, with a bullseye likely just north of Mt. Whitney. However, resorts will still see healthy snowfall with this one,” the storm-tracking website PowderChasers wrote Monday morning. “Snow levels will spike to above 7,500 feet at the start of the storm, peaking on Monday afternoon/evening. This will bring good base-building snowfall to many areas with the highest totals from Kirkwood to Mammoth (southern influence).”
The site also shared expected snowfall totals through the Sierra for several popular resorts, ranging from a few inches to a few feet:
– Palisades Tahoe/Sugar Bowl: 9-15″
– Kirkwood: 12-20″
– Mt Rose: 4-10″
– Heavenly: 7-13″
– Mammoth: 26-38″
Heavy snow is expected early this week across the higher terrain of the western U.S. and the UP of Michigan. Get the latest forecast before you travel at https://t.co/VyWINDk3xP.
Check out our new Precipitation Portal to create maps like this! ❄️💧https://t.co/hAmApGoiT8 pic.twitter.com/2q9LUq0fg3
— National Weather Service (@NWS) November 25, 2024
The same system is tracking to move inland and bring snow into Colorado and Utah, as well.
-Crested Butte: 25″
-Vail Mountain: 15-18″
-Aspen Snowmass: 20-22″
-Alta Ski Area: 18- 23″
-Park City: 9- 15″
-Eagle Point: 25″
-Summit County: 11- 17″
This latest atmospheric river comes on the heels of another system in which the northern half of the Sierra Nevada was absolutely pummeled to start the season. Mammoth Mountain, which just opened November 15, is now enjoying one helluva kickoff to the new season.
