Praying for snow in Jackson Hole

[Red Baron]

(from the Associcated Press)

Congregations pray for snow (unanswered lately)

JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) -- There's so little snow in Jackson Hole, the
churches have started praying for it.

The Reverend David Bott of Redeemer Lutheran Church is one of
the believers. He points to some very white results the valley got
a few weeks before Christmas. But now, some in his congregation are
beginning to turn into doubters.

Little snow has fallen on Jackson Hole over the past two weeks,
prompting resorts like Snow King to crank up their snowmaking
machinery to keep the slopes well-dressed.

Paul Hayden is minister at Presbyterian Church of Jackson Hole.
He says he has been praying fervently for precipitation, calling it
a real issue when it comes to being stewards of the earth.

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort spokeswoman says conditions are not
bad there, but the resort would welcome a blizzard over the holiday
season, their busiest time of year.

(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[zion zig zag]

I saw your forecast for next week, RB. I'm planning on no days off and lots of early mornings, sound right?

[backpack]

I saw your forecast for next week, RB. I'm planning on no days off and lots of early mornings, sound right?

Yea, the 10 day automated forecast an the nws looks better and better every day... mmm...

[Red Baron]

As a matter of fact, things are looking good. I feel the NWS is overplaying the threat of precip on Monday and Tuesday, and that the pattern then will be too split to bring Utah anything "good" until at least Tuesday night, but right now Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are looking wet.

You folks at Snowbasin may get truly dumped on with this one, the general storm flow is going to be out of the southeast, and hey - isn't that the direction the mountain faces???? The Park City resorts and Sundance will also do well in this pattern, BCC and LCC will get heavy snow, but don't be shocked to see some big numbers from some unusual spots. Also, my money says Ben Lomond Peak gets buried, the way it "juts out" up there catches all the storms.

This is a pretty cool weather situation; theres a big low pressure center setting up off the California coast, and it's not going to move fast. Thats great, since it will send storm after storm spinning off it; those storms will draw moisture out of Baja, and bring it up to Utah, and give us a solid week of storminess.

One caveat; the snow will not be 2% powder, it's going to be a bit on the wet side again, since these storms are coming in with (relatively speaking) warm air. Still, it should be a fun week.

[glademaster]

You guys need wet powder at this point, at least at places like Basin, where the hoarfrost was bad even a week ago. Blower pow wouldn't accomplish much after 3 weeks of high pressure out there. Enjoy it, I wish I could have.

[splat]

two percent, two percent, two percent......

[splat]

Blower pow can accomplish more than anything. I've landed in JH just as a long time high ended with eight feet of blower pow. For the first few feet, you were still skiing the ice base, cause it was so light. At about five feet, it was kill pow. At eight feet, I bought a seat on a chopper and went out to the Snake River Range. It was the best possible thing that could have happened.

[SherpaStyle]

Is JH going to get hit pretty hard by next week's storm, too, RB? The NOAA forecast doesnt look too promising. We could definitely use a foot or four...My new skis are already rock skis after 10 days of teaching on them. Not that I really care, they're just skis...but 10 days! while teaching!!! Come on ullr, PLEEEEAAAASSSEEE!

[zion zig zag]

You guys need wet powder at this point, at least at places like Basin, where the hoarfrost was bad even a week ago. Blower pow wouldn't accomplish much after 3 weeks of high pressure out there. Enjoy it, I wish I could have.

We got 8 inches of blower (3-4%) earlier this week. I think maybe our standards have been lowered but it was really nice.

[Trackhead]

RB,

I live on the western shore of Bear Lake with a 2500ft. ridge facing east over the lake.

Would lake effect (Bear Lake) be possible with the storm coming in from the SE and pouring over the lake?

[backpack]

We got 8 inches of blower (3-4%) earlier this week. I think maybe our standards have been lowered but it was really nice.

Yea, it's not exactly 8 feet, but it was definitely fun.

Todd enjoying the result of a five minute walk:


Even though we got up late, there was still plenty of stuff left at 2pm.

[Red Baron]

Trackhead - Good question; based on 8 years of watching, the only lake effect I've seen at Bear Lake came from a strong, straight north-south wind, and produced a solid band of snow coming off the south end of the lake.

One of the major factors in lake effect snow forecasting is the distance over water that the clouds have; in other words, with a NW flow, there's about 90 miles of Great Salt Lake pointed right at the Cottonwood Canyons. With the relatively narrow east-west size of Bear Lake, and how wet this pattern is, i'd say it's pretty unlikely.

[splat]

That looks like nice. I coulda used some of that when I tossed a shoe lining through some unsoft strastrugi today.

[meatdrink9]

How does this always happen? I get into town on Wednesday. Ski Thurs, Fri, Sat.

[Stoysluttie1]

First...what the hell is that skiers form called?

J- where do you plan on skiing? Check your pm.

[meatdrink9]

First...what the hell is that skiers form called?

J- where do you plan on skiing? Check your pm.

My plans are for Snowbasin on this trip.

[Squirrel99]

Hey RB- do the storm forecast models relatively agree with each other that this could be a pretty healthy dumping? Things are just about as bleak as they can get in the Northwest and I'm real close to pulling the trigger (along with other snowstarved maggots from PNW) to hopping back to UT for some good ol' loving.

Does it look like more than 15"-20"??

We're supposed to get some more [Cartman: Lame!] weak storms here this week- but we're seriously our patience is waning for any good coverage/snow. (and we are willing to make the 12 hour drive if need be to get some)

[Red Baron]

MD9's coming to town, of course it'll be a big dump....

In all seriousness, I think you PNW'ers would feel right at home in this storm cycle; with a SW flow and relatively high (in elevation) snow levels, our first good wave of moisture on Tuesday night will be w-e-t snow. The really cold air actually passes west of Utah with part #1 of the storm.

The good news is things shift to a pattern with colder air for Thursday and Friday. When that big low pressure off the coast decides to start moving, it's going to get interesting.

I would not pull the trigger on a trip quite yet, though, if you're looking for blower pow...hold off another day or so and let me see how things are shaping up.

PS: For you Coloraggots, south facing slopes in the San Juans are in line for some BIG snow totals here, they are right in the line with the plume of tropical moisture coming in.

[Trackhead]

Heavy and wet, then lighter? That's great news for the avy forecast. Better than the density inverted crap we got through the last system.

[zion zig zag]

My plans are for Snowbasin on this trip.

Any chance of that other guy showing up? I forgot his name, something of evil maybe? I'm working all those days but I'm sure we'll ski a bit.

[Squirrel99]

In all seriousness, I think you PNW'ers would feel right at home in this storm cycle;
I would not pull the trigger on a trip quite yet, though, if you're looking for blower pow...hold off another day or so and let me see how things are shaping up.
.

Thanks, RB

We have played the patience card way too long in the PNW and are getting all our panties up in a wad for a) no base b) no snow c) consistantly getting screwed-wtf- it's almost January and there are still places not open!

Save for Baker barely keeping pace (20" today was a kind gift from Santa and desparately needed), this season's been a write off so far. We'll be eagerly watching the storm forecasts for CA and UT this week. And Jackson- we feel for ya.

ps- RB, in your spare time, if you could please conjure up some more 'heavy snowfall precip' for the PNW to lock down some base, we'd be much grateful

[meatdrink9]

Any chance of that other guy showing up? I forgot his name, something of evil maybe? I'm working all those days but I'm sure we'll ski a bit.

He'll be out on one of those days. He's too busy pimping FUBU sweat suits to farmers.

[Buzzworthy]

Back needs to heal quick. Off on Friday. Hmmmm...........with brace............taking it real easy................ask the doc manana.............going to stretch now...............

[roll - gybe]

did someone say big dump?

Hey anyone know why some of my buddies are bitching about heli-skiing in the park? I suggested it, and got some "I don't back it" garbage. I haven't asked them b/c I think I'll get slapped with some righteousness.