Here It Comes: Al Roker knows nothing about pow. Photo: Courtesy Joel Gratz/opensnow.com
Opensnow.com
Formerly Colorado Powder Forecast, Opensnow.comlaunched November 1st with daily “handmade” forecasts, real-time snow conditions and personalized snow alerts based on founder and meteorologist Joel Gratz’s intricate knowledge of weather in the Colorado mountains, and a lifelong passion for skiing powder. “Turns out my childhood loves of weather and skiing have found the perfect union,” says Gratz.
Powderchasers.com
Site founder Powder Steve (who goes by that moniker to avoid getting caught playing hooky) has chased storms for 30 years. “I knew I was addicted to powder by the time I was three years old,” says PS. His revamped website, launched in mid-October, now offers real-time conditions in addition to his forecasts.
Snowforecast.com
As founder Chris Manly puts it: “We have been predicting sick days since 1998.” Upgrades for this season on the long-running site include live temperature maps, ski area web cams and mobile applications.
Colorado Avalanche Information Center
CAIC provides absolutely crucial information for backcountry powder chasers, including detailed weather prognoses. Visit avalanche.state.co.us
Satellite Imagery & Real Time Snow Conditions
Since weather in Colorado changes rapidly, satellite imagery and ski area web cams can help savvy snow-seekers track weather in real time. Do that and you can make on-the-fly decisions about where to ski or ride according to where the storm is headed. You will find those maps on the following sites: National Weather Service (weather.gov), IntelliWeather (intelliweather.com/imagesuite_satellite.htm) and SNOTEL automated weather stations (wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/snow/). You can check real-time ski area web cams to asess the sitaution at snowalarm.com/data.php?TYPE=cams.
