NOAA Issues Winter Storm Advisory for Mt. Baker

Break out your powder board; a winter storm is brewing off the west coast and it could bring feet upon feet of snow to Mt. Baker, Washington, Whistler, B.C and beyond. NOAA just released a weather advisory for Mt. Baker and forecasted the area to receive to 24-123 inches from now through Monday. Whistler, B.C will also be reaping the benefits of this mega-storm and may get pounded with 115 inches of snow beginning today throughout the weekend.

Mt. Baker Forecast Courtesy of NOAA

If these forecasts hold true, you should probably drop what you’re doing, load up your gear and get to Baker ASAP.  According to NOAA, Baker could receive 30 inches today alone, and this puke-fest may dump another 42 inches on Saturday night. That’s the most snow we’ve seen forecasted in a single day this season.

Farther north in Whistler, things should start to pile up today and will continue throughout the weekend with over a foot of fresh slated to fall each day from Saturday through Monday.

Whistler Forecast via Opensnow.com 

While these two places are poised to get a bounty of snow from this storm, the radar indicates that California, other areas of the Pacific Northwest, and even the Northeast may receive solid accumulation from this approaching storm.

Here’s a look at what is forecasted for the Northeast and West, according to OntheSnow.com.

Northeast: A strong storm rolls through on Thursday with rain/snow turning over to all snow. Northeastern New York state, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine benefit the most with moderate snow accumulations at the ski areas. Then it dries out on Saturday and Sunday with warming temperatures. Light snow is possible on Monday. Killington, Sunday River, Bretton Woods, Mount Snow and Stowe look good on Friday if you’re looking for new snow. 

West: It looks like a pretty dry stretch for Colorado and Utah with one caveat. A minor cold front rolls through Saturday morning/midday with a slight chance for a snow shower or two. Light new snow hits Wyoming on Friday afternoon continuing into Saturday morning.  Both Jackson Hole and Grand Targhee can expect up to 5 or 6″ of accumulation. Then drier on Sunday. Another shot of light snow arrives Monday afternoon. Idaho is in good position for moderate snow accumulations from Thursday afternoon through Friday. Schweitzer and Sun Valley ski areas are both included. Another storm system moves in with moderate to heavy snowfall from late Saturday continuing through Monday. In Montana, light snow hits on Friday. Drier on Saturday. Another shot of snow hits late Sunday into Monday. Western Montana is favored the entire time for the best accumulations. Whitefish Mountain is a good option. Light accumulations at Big Sky.

Bring on the snow. We’re craving slashes like this.  Rider: Wolle Nyvelt Photo: Silvano Zeiter

With this much snow on the way, it’s time to get out there and after it.