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Winter has returned! The mountains picked up about 5-6" of new snow overnight and more snow is expected this afternoon. The new snow should greatly improve riding conditions and cover up the brown dust layer. The snow surface prior to the storm was variable so I am a bit uncertain as to how the new snow will bond. You may find it easy to trigger new snow avalanches on steep slopes that had a slick surface. Winds picked up yesterday so you'll also want to look out for sensitive areas of wind-drifted snow. The best riding conditions today will be on lower-angled slopes where you won't feel the underlying hard crust.
It's 24 °F this morning at the 8400' Tony Grove Snotel at 5:00 AM, and there is 97 inches of total snow containing 118% of normal snow water equivalent (SWE). On Logan Peak, winds are blowing from the northwest around 25 mph, gusting into the 30's to 40's mph, and it's 18°F at 9700' in elevation. At the new Paris Peak weather station at 9500', it's 16°F, and the wind is from the northwest at 17 to 26 mph. It's 20° F at the new Card Canyon weather station at 8800', with 84" total snow.
Expect a blustery, stormy day in the mountains with a high temperature of about 31°F at 8500'. 2-4" of snow is forecast to fall this afternoon and winds will blow from the northwest at 14 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Thunder is also possible. Tonight, temperatures will drop into the teens with wind chills near 0°F. Snow showers are likely tomorrow with 1-3 inches expected.
