Long range forecasts three weeks ago began advertising a potential strong series of storms at month end that has been rising with potential with each passing few days. This week, news media finally caught on and during the last days as we approach the largest storm of the series on Sunday/Monday, weather professionals are now referring to it as a "bomb cyclone". Note I don't believe such winter systems have ever occurred during October during my lifetime and may have something to do with global warming putting more water vapor into the Northern Pacific at this stage of the year or just randomness. So whoopie!
Last year the end of January cold bomb cyclone saved for we enthusiasts what for skiing was otherwise a pathetically early and late dry winter. In any case, snow levels as I noted a few days ago will be pineapple high, at times near 10,000 feet so though 4 to 6 foot potential accumulations are possible, much less may actually remain above 8,000 depending on parameters there are no ways to accurately forecast.
Here in the SFBA, one can expect excessive TV coverage in emotional high pitch voices over debris flows about recent wildfire areas and usual urban creek overflow areas making it sound like everyone wishes it will stop ending with stupid qualifiers "Won't really help the drought as we need 99 more storms like this." Traffic will be a hydroplaning nightmare Monday as the impatient aggressive clueless tailgaters refuse to slow down driving 80+ mph on their urban commutes. US50 will likely close due to sooty black debris flows across the highway. Truckee streets will be crammed with blocked 18 wheelers and its restaurants full of coffee drinkers also wishing it will stop.
By the following weekend after one of the longest dry periods in Northern California, we may actually begin to see tiny green grasses sprouting roadsides and in our otherwise dry brown drab hills. Read today's BA report on OpenSnow that is showing KW and Rose with potential 4 to 6 foot totals of Sierra Cement with just a few inches at 6,000 foot lower base levels. This will all be good above 8,000 where most of us actually ski for bomb proof bases that should serve skiing at our upper areas well into the Christmas weeks.
skirose.com
