Weather nerds: school me on where snow comes from

[NZRob]

Well if Jim Steenburgh, author of this book...

Secrets of the Greatest Snow on Earth
Weather, Climate Change, and Finding Deep Powder in Utah's Wasatch Mountains and around the World

is a Pugskier, it would be great to hear from him.

 

[Ken_R]

yes, but whats the usual source for utah and colorado?

For Colorado it can be from the SW (Baja/California) and NW (PNW/B.C.) . Bitter cold air can funnel in from the NE.

Weather is pretty complex for the intermountain region as geography affects snowfall a great deal. Generally speaking you need 3 things, Moisture, Lift and Cold Air.

Best storms are not super cold because very cold air contains very little moisture (physics). Yes, its a delicate balance.