Currently: Clouds have moved over the area this morning, and temperatures are mostly in the mid to upper 30s F. Winds blowing from the south increased overnight and are blowing 18-22 mph gusting to 35 mph. At ridgelines above 10,000 feet, temperatures are in the mid 20s F, and winds are gusting up to 60 mph.
Today: Clouds will continue to increase today. There could be some snow falling later today but none will accumulate. A cold front will pass overhead this afternoon and keep temperatures about where they are this morning. Winds will continue until after the front passes when they will become light.
Tonight and Tomorrow: Snow will come tonight and tomorrow bringing only a few inches to most areas. More snow should hopefully come late Sunday night.
It has been over a month since any real snowfall occurred, and snow conditions reflect that lack of new snow. The snow surface is important because it will determine avalanche conditions in the coming weeks and possibly months. Slopes shaded from wind and sun have a thick layer of weak faceted snow. Many other slopes have a crust of varying thickness with facets under it. Many slopes at upper elevations have been eroded and sculped by winds, and popular areas have lots of old tracks.
In general, there is plenty of weak snow on the surface, but its distribution is very complex, and will not follow a clear, easy-to-map pattern. As snow begins to accumulate in the coming week or two, I anticipate that avalanche conditions will become very tricky.
There have been no avalanches reported
