Skiers and snowboarders in the Wasatch have been waiting all season for this: A big, cold snowstorm. We’ve longed for over-the-head powder and all-time conditions. Now, finally, in the middle of February, we get a dose of just that. Ski Utah is even so sure a powder frenzy will happen, that they’ve issued a Powder Alert for Sunday through Tuesday.
A Ski Utah Powder Alert means there is 80% forecaster confidence in at least 8 inches of snow.
This storm is expected to be statewide. The Powder alert covers all ski areas in the state, north to south. The storm will be a long-duration event, stretching from Sunday, February 18 – Tuesday, February 20. Cold temperatures and lots of moisture will bring heavy snowfall just behind Sunday night’s cold front. So make plans now for a deep powder day on Monday. In addition, snow showers will keep flowing all day Monday into early Tuesday.
So how much snow are we talking? Preliminary estimates say 10-20 inches with some favored areas (like the upper Cottonwood Canyons) receiving up to two feet of powder. This just days after a storm dropped 18 inches at Alta on Thursday, February 15th.
That’s not all. According to Evan Thayer at OpenSnow.com, after a break mid-week, another storm front arrives to close out the month of February.
One thing that might rain on your parade (or now snow on your ski day) is that this is President’s Day weekend, so expect lots of crowds competing for that powder. Also plan ahead for long lines of traffic coming up the Cottonwood Canyons, especially Little Cottonwood Canyon if there are any Highway 210 closures for avalanche control.
For the most up-to-date snowfall totals around Utah, visit skiutah.com