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The Little Ski Hill Discussion
WEATHER DISCUSSION - Thursday February 20, 2024 - Mostly sunny as low pressure drops to the south today... On Friday we are looking drier and with chilly temperatures as high pressure ridging builds in, then a shot, a dusting of snow Friday night, more sun on Saturday, then larger scale low pressure moves in Saturday night and Sunday, with SNOW for Sunday and Monday, possible snow day criteria. We have some snow level issues on Sunday and will be watching and updating, but the trend is for some snow accumulations base to top on Sunday, with some mid-day snow levels popping up to 7,500 feet (300 feet below the 7,800ft top elevation at Bogus Basin). On Monday another system moves in, maybe some snow level issues again, but COLDER Monday night and we have a good shot of more snow then as Pacific low pressure moves through, into a colder Tuesday. On Wednesday and Thursday (Feb 26-27) expect clearing as high pressure ridging moves in, with mostly sunny skies.
LONGER RANGE.
After/ around March 2nd, the pattern becomes busy again after a short sunny break. We should see frequent snowfalls for a week or so. Meteorologist/ Chris Manly
WEATHER DISCUSSION - Monday February 17, 2024 - ANOTHER SNOW DAY TODAY as strong low pressure and good moisture move through, on Tuesday high pressure is ridging in, with an AMAZING DAY if you love GREAT SNOW + sunshine! On Wednesday a pretty decent looking storm moves through, with a good shot of "powder day" level snowfall. This snow ends on Thursday, clearing out to mostly sunny as low pressure drops to the south. On Friday we are looking drier and with chilly temperatures as high pressure ridging builds in. Saturday we see a system brush the area, but for now looking dry. Sunday through early next week looks busy, with a good shot of more snow as Pacific low pressure moves through.
LONGER RANGE.
Increased Gulf of Alaska/ Pacific storm energy is expected the last 5 days or so of February and through early March (ie. more and more frequent snowfalls). More detail is coming. Meteorologist/ Chris Manly
WEATHER DISCUSSION - Saturday February 15, 2024 - After some sunshine and AMAZING conditions today, the next storm moves in tonight and Sunday with a good shot of new snow expected thanks to good dynamics and focused moisture. Nice and fresh turns should be had for Monday's holiday, as snow continues to fall. On Tuesday we see a break, then more respectable snowfall on Wednesday as the next storm moves through, and unsettled into Thursday with more snow.
LONGER RANGE.
Off and on snow is expected through February, but more high-pressure dominant this time, with more sun and less snow overall, as we will be mainly on the east side of high pressure ridging, with more sun mixed in with the snowfalls. We may see increased Gulf of Alaska/ Pacific storm energy as we move into March (ie. more and more frequent snowfalls). Meteorologist/ Chris Manly
WEATHER DISCUSSION - Wednesday February 12, 2024 - HEAVY SNOW TOMORROW… It has been very cold and dry, even touch -10F this morning on the mountain! On Thursday a strong storm moves through mainly later morning through overnight, snow heaviest through evening, and snow continuing through Friday though overall lighter, as deep moisture is pushed across the mountain ridges and forcing is very strong. The snow will be a more dense and water-filled powder. This weekend looks unsettled with some additional snow moving in as fast moving systems pass through. Decent additional accumulations are possible on a daily basis, so nice and fresh turns should be had, into next Monday/ Tuesday (17-18th).
LONGER RANGE.
Off and on snow is expected through February, but more high-pressure dominant this time, with more sun and less snow overall, as we will be mainly on the east side of high pressure ridging, with more sun mixed in with the snowfalls. We may see increased Gulf of Alaska/ Pacific storm energy as we move into March (ie. more and more frequent snowfalls). Meteorologist/ Chris Manly
WEATHER DISCUSSION - Wednesday February 05, 2024 - SNOW IS NOT OVER YET...Colder air is now moving in with some lingering light snow showers this morning, with progressively colder air expected today, and really cold air tonight as more light snow moves in. On Thursday a strong storm moves through mainly later day - overnight, through Friday, with heavy snow expected, and it will be a colder and drier powder. This weekend could still go a couple of ways, lots of sun and chilly air, plus amazing conditions, or more clouds than sun, and some light and mostly non-accumulating snow, plus AMAZING conditions! Either way, you win with the conditions, and I am forecasting an in-between scenario, as high pressure ridging slowly builds in across the Pacific Northwest into early next week (through the 11th).
LONGER RANGE.
After a short break (from snow) early next week (mostly sunny), expect another round of snowfall mid and late next week, for about 3 days (through the 14th-15th), with frequent snowfalls expected, another 1 or 2 day break, then off and on snow through later February as we will then be mainly on the east side of high pressure ridging, with more sun mixed in with the snowfalls this time, and colder, drier air, as storms target the central US, so I am not expecting big totals from most of these systems (no mid-Pacific moisture connection or "atmospheric rivers" at this point, more over-land movement of systems). Meteorologist/ Chris Manly
WEATHER DISCUSSION - Monday February 03, 2024 - THE TOTAL MOUNTAIN TRANSFORMATION CONTINUES...Deep moisture and strong dynamics continue as the pattern continues busy, with the snowfall continuing to bury the mountain in the best snow of the season. This will continue through Tuesday as a number of waves move through the large scale low pressure trough, tapping into good moisture from the Pacific Ocean. Plenty of wind will accompany the snow, with blowing and drifting expected, making measurements difficult to attain without the moisture equivalent being measured also, and coupled with temperatures during snowfall. Colder air moves in after lingering snowfall accumulations on Wednesday, with progressively colder air expected Wednesday, and really cold Wednesday night. On Thursday another strong storm moves through with heavy snow expected, mainly the 2nd half of the day but we will watch the timing. It will be a colder and drier powder. On a very cold Friday expect even colder and drier powder, maybe a few inches of it, as the last blast of this weeks action moves through. This weekend could go a couple of ways, lots of sun and chilly air, plus amazing conditions, or more clouds than sun, and some light and mostly non-accumulating snow, plus AMAZING conditions! Either way, you win with the conditions. I forecast an in-between scenario, as high pressure ridging slowly builds in across the Pacific Northwest.
LONGER RANGE.
After a short break (from snow) this weekend (8-9 Feb, mostly sunny), expect another round of snowfall next week, for about 3 days, with frequent snowfalls expected, another 2-ish day break, then snowy through mid February and beyond as we will then be mainly on the east side of high pressure ridging, with more sun mixed in with the snowfalls this time, and colder, drier air, as storms target the central US, so I am not expecting big totals from most of these systems (no mid-Pacific moisture connection, more over-land movement of systems). Meteorologist/ Chris Manly
WEATHER DISCUSSION - Sunday February 02, 2024 - MASSIVE SNOWFALL... Lots and lots of snow thanks to strong dynamics, and a solid stream of moisture, for mostly continuous snow today and tomorrow, right through Tuesday and tapering off Wednesday... Expect a huge mountain transformation with daily snow all the way through next week, heavy at times, as low pressure shifts to focus on the Pacific Northwest. Multiple systems are expected through the weekend, with snow being heavy at times, and some drifting and blowing of snow. Daily snowfalls are expected through next Thursday or so.
LONGER RANGE.
After a short break next weekend (8-9 Feb, mostly sunny), expect another round of snowfall, for about 3 days, with frequent snowfalls expected, another 2-ish day break, then snowy through mid February and beyond. Meteorologist/ Chris Manly
WEATHER DISCUSSION - Friday January 31, 2024 - TOTAL MOUNTAIN TRANSFORMATION... Expect a huge mountain transformation with daily snow all the way through next week, heavy at times, as low pressure shifts to focus on the Pacific Northwest. Multiple systems are expected today and through the weekend, with snow being heavy at times, and some drifting and blowing of snow. Daily snowfalls are expected through next Thursday or so.
LONGER RANGE.
After a short break next weekend (8-9 Feb, mostly sunny), expect another round of snowfall, for about 3 days, with frequent snowfalls expected, another 2-ish day break, then snowy through mid February and beyond. Meteorologist/ Chris Manly
WEATHER DISCUSSION - Monday January 27, 2024 - We are under a big Pacific Northwest high-pressure ridge through Thursday, with mostly sunny skies. By Friday and through this weekend (on track with last forecast) expect a huge mountain transformation with daily snow all the way through next week, heavy at times, as low pressure shifts to focus on the Pacific Northwest. More details are coming, but February is roaring in like a lion.
LONGER RANGE.
Frequent snowfalls are expected in early February through the 9th/ 10th, with few breaks, snowy through mid February and beyond. Next Monday (3 Feb), low pressure starts digging into a LOT more Pacific moisture for heavier snowfall across southern Idaho, the PNW, and Bogus Basin. Meteorologist/ Chris Manly
WEATHER DISCUSSION - Thursday January 23, 2024 - A strong and cold but mostly moisture-starved system will brush the area on its way south tonight through Saturday morning. Mostly just some clouds and periodic snow flurries are expected (no accumulation). AFter this, on Saturday the low drops south and a high pressure ridge starts building in, with chilly temperatures continuing as we are on the east side of a big Pacific Northwest high-pressure ridge, with mostly sunny skies. By next Wednesday and Thursday the ridge shifts and we have a chance for some snow late next Thursday through that weekend (first of Feb).
LONGER RANGE.
Frequent snowfalls are possible in early February, first several days, then another ridge (no snow), alternating with periods of snow again into mid-February. Don't worry, the snow is coming back. Meteorologist/ Chris Manly
WEATHER DISCUSSION - Friday January 17, 2024 - Temperatures have remained cold and "snow-preserving" for Bogus Basin, so there remains a great base after some amazing snowfall thus far. Mostly sunny/ partly cloudy skies are expected through this weekend, with much colder temperatures as we are in a dry and unsettled pattern, low pressure east and high pressure west, some breeziness and wind chill at times the result, otherwise plenty of sun is expected. Some snow flurries are expected next Tuesday-Wednesday with a weak and mostly moisture-starved system brushing the area on its way southeast.
LONGER RANGE.
High pressure ridging (and tranquil snow-free weather) is mostly dominant through January 24 with mostly no snow and more sun (near to above average temperatures are expected mid-late next week. By around January 24-25, next weekend (Saturday snow) the jet stream starts cutting south into the west coast and delivering frequent snows to Bogus Basin and southern/ northern Idaho. There should be frequent significant snowfalls into early February. Meteorologist/ Chris Manly
WEATHER DISCUSSION - Monday January 13, 2024 - Mostly sunny skies and chilly temperatures are expected today under building high pressure ridging aloft. Valley temperature inversions are expected (colder below, warmer above) under a mostly dominant high-pressure ridge over the Northwest US pretty much all week, except for late Thursday when a shot of flurries/ very light snow is expected into Friday morning, no accumulation or 1 inch is expected at this point. The good news is that temperatures remain cold and "snow-preserving", while there remains a great base after some amazing early-season snowfall in November and December. The SnoTel site shows just under 5 feet of depth and good water equivalent (16.4") as of this morning. The weekend remains chilly/ cold with a dry northwest flow on the east side of the big high-pressure ridge. Mostly sunny-partly cloudy skies are also expected through the weekend.
LONGER RANGE.
High pressure ridging looks to be mostly dominant through January 23 with mostly no snow and more sun (near average temperatures are expected as colder shots of air move in at times. After January 23 the jet stream starts cutting south into the west coast and delivering frequent snows to Bogu Basin and southern/ northern Idaho. Meteorologist/ Chris Manly
WEATHER DISCUSSION - Thursday January 9, 2024 - Today things are looking mostly sunny and chilly with northwest breezes, more sun but increasing clouds on a less-cold Friday, then then some snow moves in Friday afternoon through overnight, a quick shot of moderate snowfall and a STRONG cold front as temperatures drop fast Friday night (near 32F then dropping to single digits at 10,000 feet), then Saturday looks Much colder than Friday, with some 10-20mph northwest breezes for wind chill. Sunday looks cold and mostly cloudy (partly sunny) with some flurries at times, clearing out Monday morning then becoming sunny/ cold Monday under building high pressure ridging aloft. Next Tuesday and Wednesday (14-15 Jan) look sunny and not as cold, with valley temperature inversions (colder below, warmer above) under a strong high-pressure ridge.
LONGER RANGE.
High pressure ridging fights to be dominant through January 21, with low pressure systems moving through carrying refreshing shots of cold air and maybe snow to freshen up the slopes here and there. After January 21 the pattern may start cutting south into the west coast and delivering frequent snows to Bogu Basin and southern/ northern Idaho. Meteorologist/ Chris Manly