Monday, April 15 – Wednesday, April 17 

On Monday morning, Big Sky reports 1 – 3” new snow, mainly falling in the early morning hours. 

Instability in the upper atmosphere related to an approaching storm system from the north will keep clouds and snow showers through the day across Lone Mountain on Monday. There’s a 30% chance that convective snow showers with even a few claps of thunder may develop during the afternoon as cooler air begins to move in. 

The storm’s leading cold front looks to push into Big Sky by Tuesday afternoon with snowfall above 8000’ with a skiff possible by last chair. Temps will be dropping through the afternoon hours. SW winds 20 – 25 mph on the ridgetops. 

As colder air moves in on Tuesday evening, north winds will usher in periods of moderate to heavy snow across the slopes of Andesite and Lone Mountain. Overnight Tuesday, snow totals of 4 – 8” are possible by first chair Wednesday morning. 

The snow slackens slightly on Wednesday morning, but N/NW winds could help enhance snow showers adding another 1 – 3” across the resort through the day on Wednesday. Much cooler on Wednesday, with alpine highs in the upper teens to low 20s at 9000’. Light north winds with ridgetop gusts to 20 mph.

The NBM below for snowfall shows the best potential for significant snowfall across SW Montana at Big Sky and Red Lodge (closed). 

 

Here's the Forecast Board for Big Sky through Wednesday.

SW Montana will remain under the influence of an upper trough through Friday. Northerly winds will keep the temps unseasonably cool along with unsettled skies. Generally, minimal accumulations are possible on Thursday and Friday. Daily alpine highs hover around 20F. 

An upper ridge is favored to build into the Northern Rockies over the weekend. This will dry the skies, add a bit more sun to the daily mix, and gradually raise temps to seasonal by Sunday.  

I’ll post a storm update on Wednesday morning. 

Many thanks for reading this season!

Powder Out –

Bob 

Montana Ski Areas & Resorts Geographical References 

WEST of the Divide: 

Whitefish Mountain Resort   - CLOSED for the Season   

Blacktail Mountain  - CLOSED for the Season.

Turner Mountain  - CLOSED for the Season.  

Lookout Pass – Reopens Weds 4/17, then daily until final day on 4/21    

Montana Snowbowl –CLOSED for the Season

Ski Discovery  -  CLOSED for the Season

Lost Trail Powder Mountain  - CLOSED for the Season   

EAST of the Divide:

Big Sky Resort – OPEN Daily / Closing Day 4/28

Bridger Bowl  - CLOSED for the Season.   

Red Lodge Mountain – CLOSED for the Season.  

Great Divide  - CLOSED for the Season.

Showdown  - CLOSED for the Season.   

Teton Pass Ski Area  -  CLOSED for the Season.  

Maverick Mountain  - CLOSED for the Season.  

 

Backcountry Avalanche Reports:

West Central Montana Avalanche Center

http://missoulaavalanche.org 

 Flathead Avalanche Center

 http://www.flatheadavalanche.org

Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center:

http://www.mtavalanche.com

 

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