A potent storm is affecting the La Sal Range. It is currently snowing in Gold Basin. It is 26 degrees, and temperatures will remain in the upper 20s today. This warm, wet storm will bring significant water to the range. Heavy snow will be accompanied by SW winds blowing 20-30 MPH and gusting into the 40s MPH. Snow will continue overnight, and the storm will exit our region on Wednesday morning. I'm optimistic for 12-18" of snow, and some models are showing even bigger numbers.

There is 5" of new snow and 0.9" of SWE as of 6 AM, and the total depth in Gold Basin is 15". Prior to today's storm, overall coverage was very thin, and mountain travel was somewhat difficult. Solar aspects were showing bare ground, while some Northerly aspects were holding 2-3 feet of snow. The additional snow will make traveling in the mountains a little easier, but it still won't be game on for skiing and riding. If you are attempting to make turns, I would exercise caution, as rocks and logs are a real threat, given our shallow snowpack. Your best bet for turns are slopes that previously held snow, but those are the exact same slopes that will have avalanche problems.

Today's storm will create our first avalanche problems of the season. Moderate to Strong SW winds will whip up a fresh batch of wind slabs near treeline and above. Backcountry travelers should be on the lookout for pillowy looking, wind-loaded slopes near treeline and above. These slabs of wind-drifted snow will be deposited on top of a very weak, early season snowpack. Late October and early November snowfall has been sitting dormant under weeks of high pressure. This has created a weak foundation of faceted grains. Today's load will be the first real test of this weak snow.

We have received a lot of great early-season observations, check them out here.