24 Hour Snow: 0" 72 Hour Snow: 0" Season Total Snow: 21" Depth at Gold Basin: 14"

Winds on Pre-Laurel Peak: S 20 G 30 Temp: 34° F

Weather

High pressure builds over the region for the next couple of days bringing a return to sunny skies and continued record warm temperatures. High temperatures at 10,000 feet today will be in the upper 30's and winds blowing from the southwest will average 20-25 mph along ridge tops. By Christmas Eve, a Pacific trough will begin to move inland finally bringing a chance for much needed precipitation. Southwest flow will keep temperatures very warm and there is still some model disagreement over how this will all play out but keep your fingers crossed for a Christmas miracle. Stay tuned.

General Conditions

It's been a tough couple of weeks on our snowpack and all you need to do is look up from town to see that. In my travels up the Laurel Highway yesterday I found thin, mixed bag snow conditions ranging from solid melt freeze crusts, to wind affected snow, to dense, loose, and faceted snow. The record warm temperatures have melted most south aspects down to bare ground, while strong winds from the northwest have blasted exposed northerly aspects above tree line down the rocks. Sheltered terrain near tree line and below harbors 12-24 inches of faceting snow. It's not what I would call a complete "sandbox" yet, but it is definitely becoming very loose and weak and this will undoubtedly develop into a persistent weak layer problem when we finally get more snow. For more details, read my observation and watch the video below.

Chris Benson was also out braving conditions yesterday up in the high peaks. Read his observation from the south slopes of Mount Tukuhnikivatz and see his video from the summit. It paints a sober picture of our overall snow cover.

Snowpack and Weather Data

NEW! Gold Basin webcam storm stake

Gold Basin Storm Stake (10,000')