Western Weather 2010-14

[Admin]

Issued just moments ago by the NWS in SLC:

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SALT LAKE CITY UT
304 PM MST WED NOV 17 2010

UTZ001>016-019>021-517-518-WYZ021-181000-
CACHE VALLEY/UTAH PORTION-NORTHERN WASATCH FRONT-
SALT LAKE AND TOOELE VALLEYS-SOUTHERN WASATCH FRONT-
GREAT SALT LAKE DESERT AND MOUNTAINS-WASATCH MOUNTAIN VALLEYS-
WASATCH MOUNTAINS I-80 NORTH-WASATCH MOUNTAINS SOUTH OF I-80-
WESTERN UINTA MOUNTAINS-WASATCH PLATEAU/BOOK CLIFFS-
WESTERN UINTA BASIN-CASTLE COUNTRY-SAN RAFAEL SWELL-
SANPETE/SEVIER VALLEYS-WEST CENTRAL UTAH-SOUTHWEST UTAH-
UTAHS DIXIE AND ZION NATIONAL PARK-SOUTH CENTRAL UTAH-
GLEN CANYON RECREATION AREA/LAKE POWELL-CENTRAL MOUNTAINS-
SOUTHERN MOUNTAINS-SOUTHWEST WYOMING-
304 PM MST WED NOV 17 2010

...WINTER STORM POTENTIAL THIS WEEKEND THROUGH MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK...

A SERIES OF COLD WINTER STORMS WILL MOVE THROUGH THE AREA
BEGINNING SATURDAY AND CONTINUING THROUGH MID WEEK.

SNOW WILL BEGIN IN THE MOUNTAINS SATURDAY AND COULD BECOME HEAVY.
SIGNIFICANT ACCUMULATIONS ARE POSSIBLE IN THE MOUNTAINS OVER THE 5
DAY PERIOD FROM SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY.

PRECIPITATION WILL BEGIN AS RAIN IN THE VALLEYS BUT SNOW IS
LIKELY IN THE VALLEYS BEGINNING SATURDAY NIGHT OR SUNDAY.

THE COLDEST AIR SO FAR THIS SEASON APPEARS TO BE HEADED FOR UTAH
BY MIDWEEK.

THIS START OF THIS LONG DURATION STORM IS STILL 3 DAYS AWAY AND
THE TIMING AND DETAILS OF SNOWFALL ACCUMULATION ARE STILL
UNCERTAIN. ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS WILL FOLLOW AS THE STORM DEVELOPS
OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

 

[rsmith]

The same system headed for Utah should be hitting the Sierra starting tomorrow evening. First substantial system of the year. I assume it will mean further resort/terrain openings for T-giving holiday, and the first decent riding conditions of the year for us. The storm will be cold with snow levels below 3000 feet. Early next week will likely be a good time to take an early vacation and get in some turns...

...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
SUNDAY AFTERNOON...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN RENO HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM
WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SUNDAY
AFTERNOON.

* TIMING: SNOW WILL BEGIN FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND CONTINUE THROUGH
SUNDAY. THE PERIOD OF THE POTENTIALLY HEAVIEST SNOW WILL BE FRIDAY
NIGHT AND AGAIN LATE SATURDAY NIGHT.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 2 TO 4 FEET OF SNOW POSSIBLE ABOVE 7000
FEET...WITH 1 TO 2 FEET POSSIBLE BELOW 7000 FEET.

* WINDS: SOUTHWEST WINDS 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH.
RIDGE GUSTS UP TO 85 MPH.

* IMPACTS: HEAVY SNOW IN THE SIERRA COULD CAUSE MAJOR TRAVEL
IMPACTS OVER THE WEEKEND. ANYONE TRAVELING IN THE SIERRA SHOULD
BE PREPARED FOR HAZARDOUS WINTER DRIVING CONDITIONS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT SNOW ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY
CREATE HAZARDOUS WINTER DRIVING CONDITIONS.

 

[snowave]

Where'd you see 5 ft at? 8-[

Sunday night is when I was considering coming up. hoping for no spillover in the Owens Valley. =;

NOW they're saying up to 5 ft possible! :shock:

for the Reno Forecast area (Mammoth)

....SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 3 TO 5 FEET POSSIBLE ABOVE 8000 FEET...WITH
1 TO 3 FEET BELOW 8000 FEET.

 

[snowboard247]

Where'd you see 5 ft at? 8-[

Sunday night is when I was considering coming up. hoping for no spillover in the Owens Valley. =;

NOW they're saying up to 5 ft possible! :shock:

for the Reno Forecast area (Mammoth)

....SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 3 TO 5 FEET POSSIBLE ABOVE 8000 FEET...WITH
1 TO 3 FEET BELOW 8000 FEET.

see i told you!

 

[snowboard247]

3 to 5 feet so far, still snowing, and another storm expected to hit our area tuesday with up to 1-2 feet possible.

 

[Admin]

Amazing, isn't it? We've picked up 29" thus far with another 31-53" predicted by Wednesday! Rock on, November! \/

 

[snowboard247]

Easily one of the best Novembers!

 

[Admin]

When was the last time you saw one of these? 8-[

UTZ003>005-230700-
/O.UPG.KSLC.WS.A.0012.101123T2300Z-101124T1700Z/
/O.NEW.KSLC.BZ.W.0001.101123T2200Z-101124T1500Z/
SALT LAKE AND TOOELE VALLEYS-SOUTHERN WASATCH FRONT-
GREAT SALT LAKE DESERT AND MOUNTAINS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...SALT LAKE CITY...TOOELE...LEHI...
PROVO...NEPHI...WENDOVER...SNOWVILLE
358 PM MST MON NOV 22 2010

...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM TUESDAY TO 8 AM MST
WEDNESDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SALT LAKE CITY HAS ISSUED A
BLIZZARD WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM TUESDAY TO 8 AM
MST WEDNESDAY. THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

* AFFECTED AREA: THE SALT LAKE AND TOOELE VALLEYS AND THE
NORTHWEST DESERTS.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS OF 3 TO 6 INCHES
ARE LIKELY BEGINNING LATE TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND THROUGH TUESDAY
NIGHT.

* TIMING: THE ARCTIC FRONT WILL ENTER THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF UTAH
TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND REACH SALT LAKE CITY AROUND 6 PM AND PROVO
AROUND 7 PM.

* WINDS: SOUTHWEST WINDS OF 25 TO 40 MPH TUESDAY AFTERNOON WILL
SWITCH TO THE NORTHWEST WITH SPEEDS OF 25 TO 40 MPH AND GUSTS TO
50 MPH.

* IMPACTS: BLIZZARD CONDITIONS LATE TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND TUESDAY
NIGHT WILL LEAD TO WHITEOUT CONDITIONS. TRAVEL WILL BE DIFFICULT
OR IMPOSSIBLE AT TIMES TUESDAY NIGHT. TRAVELERS ARE URGED TO
COMPLETE THE EVENING COMMUTE EARLY SO THEY ARE NOT CAUGHT IN THE STORM.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A BLIZZARD WARNING MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE
EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. FALLING AND BLOWING SNOW WITH STRONG WINDS
AND POOR VISIBILITIES WILL LEAD TO WHITEOUT CONDITIONS...MAKING
TRAVEL EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. DO NOT TRAVEL. IF YOU MUST...HAVE A
WINTER SURVIVAL KIT WITH YOU. IF YOU GET STRANDED...STAY WITH
YOUR VEHICLE.

FOR WINTER ROAD CONDITIONS FROM THE UTAH DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION VISIT HTTP://WWW.COMMUTERLINK.UTAH.GOV OR DIAL
511.

Keep in mind that those accumulation predictions are for the Salt Lake Valley, not the mountains where they'll be dramatically greater.

 

[jasoncapecod]

i wonder if they will have to close the Airport? Now that would something..

 

[schubwa]

When was the last time you saw one of these?

Don't feel like the Lone Ranger...here is tonight's forecast for down here in Bend. I backed my car into the garage. I haven't done that since I lived in Mammoth!

...A MAJOR WINTER STORM WILL CONTINUE TO BRING ACCUMULATING SNOW
TO THE AREA THROUGH TONIGHT...

.ANOTHER STORM...STRONGER THAN LAST NIGHT`S...WILL MOVE ACROSS
THE AREA TONIGHT. SNOW WILL INCREASE IN COVERAGE AND INTENSITY.
ANOTHER ROUND OF SIGNIFICANT SNOW ACCUMULATION IS EXPECTED.

IN ADDITION...AN ARCTIC FRONT WILL CONTINUE MOVE INTO THE REGION
TONIGHT. THIS MAY CAUSE BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF SNOW DUE TO GUSTY
NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM PST TUESDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PENDLETON HAS ISSUED A WINTER
STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM PST
TUESDAY. THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: AN ADDITIONAL 3 TO 6 INCHES OF SNOW CAN BE
EXPECTED TONIGHT...RESULTING IN A STORM TOTAL OF 6 TO 12 INCHES
BY EARLY TUESDAY MORNING.

* TIMING: PERIODS OF SNOW WILL CONTINUE TONIGHT. THE SNOW MAY
BECOME HEAVY AT TIMES.

* LOCATIONS INCLUDE: BEND...LA PINE...SUNRIVER

* WINDS: LOCALLY GUSTY WINDS WILL RESULT IN SOME BLOWING AND
DRIFTING OF SNOW AND REDUCED VISIBILITIES.

* IMPACTS: ROADS WILL BECOME SNOW COVERED AND HAZARDOUS FOR
TRAVEL. THIS INCLUDES HIGHWAYS 26 AND 97

 

[Admin]

This really is crazy stuff. I was just reading this afternoon's NWS forecast discussion and came across this gem:

700 MB TEMPS OF MINUS 24 ARE EXTREMELY COLD FOR JANUARY AND
AROUND 4 STANDARD DEVIATIONS BELOW AVERAGE FOR NOVEMBER...WITH
SNOW COVER...VALLEYS WILL BE IN THE DEEP FREEZE WED/THU....WE CAN
ONLY HOPE ENOUGH MIXING ASSOCIATED WITH WEEKEND TROUGH TO REMOVE
THIS FRIGID AIRMASS OR WE WILL SUFFER FOR WEEKS.

:shock:

 

[flyover]

Suffer?

Cry me a river. :wink:

Utah's skiers are blessed with the magic combo of bucket loads of high-quality snow and awe-inspiring terrain. From where I sit, it is just not cool to get all dramatic just because some chilly temps get thrown into the mix.

I've skied one truly cold day at Alta and it was one of my favorites. It was a boot-top-deep cold-smoke powder day, but many of the locals seemed to have stayed home, leaving more freshies for those of us willing to add an extra layer or two.

 

[Tony Crocker]

700 MB TEMPS OF MINUS 24 ARE EXTREMELY COLD FOR JANUARY AND
AROUND 4 STANDARD DEVIATIONS BELOW AVERAGE FOR NOVEMBER...WITH
SNOW COVER...VALLEYS WILL BE IN THE DEEP FREEZE WED/THU

Joe Bastardi must be chortling....

 

[Marc_C]

When was the last time you saw one of these? 8-[

About 7 years ago.

 

[jasoncapecod]

Was the great SLC blizzard a bust?

 

[Admin]

We got snow, we got wind...but all in all I found it comical. This town basically shut down over a couple of inches of snow with a stiff breeze. I went to meet Bobby Danger and another friend for sushi last night in the heart of it at 7:30 pm, but our regular sushi joint had closed and sent all of their employees home. So we tried another one -- closed. We tried a third Asian place -- closed. Outback? Closed. Lone Star? Closed. Ended up at freakin' Burger King.

 

[jasoncapecod]

another system that was over hyped by NWS

 

[berkshireskier]

We got snow, we got wind...but all in all I found it comical. This town basically shut down over a couple of inches of snow with a stiff breeze. I went to meet Bobby Danger and another friend for sushi last night in the heart of it at 7:30 pm, but our regular sushi joint had closed and sent all of their employees home. So we tried another one -- closed. We tried a third Asian place -- closed. Outback? Closed. Lone Star? Closed. Ended up at freakin' Burger King.

Yea, nothing like a Whopper in the middle of a blizzard.

 

[EMSC]

We got snow, we got wind...but all in all I found it comical. This town basically shut down over a couple of inches of snow with a stiff breeze. I went to meet Bobby Danger and another friend for sushi last night in the heart of it at 7:30 pm, but our regular sushi joint had closed and sent all of their employees home. So we tried another one -- closed. We tried a third Asian place -- closed. Outback? Closed. Lone Star? Closed. Ended up at freakin' Burger King.

Yea, nothing like a Whopper in the middle of a blizzard.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:


I told my wife days ago that the storm was guaranteed to drop only about 6" in Colo. Way too hyped and hyped way too early. The storms that end up dropping lots of snow usually catch Colo forecasters by surprise - to a degree. The forecast will be 6-12" and the reality will be 2-3 feet or more over 2-3 days (not that Colo gets too many of that size anyway).

 

[Marc_C]

another system that was over hyped by NWS

We got snow, we got wind...but all in all I found it comical. This town basically shut down over a couple of inches of snow with a stiff breeze.

The thing is it had the potential for having a lot more impact - it was just a very fast moving storm. And while we certainly didn't get a lot of snow out of it in the valley, it was certainly cold enough and a lot more than a stiff breeze. I-80 and I-15 were both closed at the Nevada and Idaho borders and on 80 at the Wyoming border due to near zero visibility and winds strong enough to topple 18 wheelers.

This morning at 11K' (top of Snowbird tram) wind chill was a balmy -46F.