Mt. Baker Ski Area will open for the season Wednesday, Nov. 21, thanks to storms that have continued to dump plenty of snow in the mountains.

"Man, it snowed hard all day," Duncan Howat, the ski area's general manager, said Monday, Nov. 19.

The ski area will offer limited operations beginning 9 a.m. Wednesday.

About 20 inches of snow fell within 24 hours, the ski area officials noted Monday afternoon.

That translated into a 41-inch base at Heather Meadows on Monday afternoon, and 50 inches on Pan Dome, Howat said.

But he said the snow was "quite thin" down at White Salmon.

Ski area officials were waiting on another storm system to move through, saying they'll decide Tuesday afternoon whether to operate the lower White Salmon area.

Another 10 inches of snow are possible for Wednesday morning, according to forecasts.

Last year the ski area opened Nov. 18.

Keep tabs on the snow report and Baker's opening by calling 360-671-0211 or going online to mtbaker.us.

Meanwhile, Stevens Pass announced it will open Tuesday, Nov. 20 - becoming the first resort to open in Washington state. Its operations also will be limited.

Reach KIE RELYEA at kie.relyea@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2234.