This morning, skies are mostly clear, and a temperature inversion is in place, with trailhead temperatures in the low 20s °F and ridgetops in the low 30s °F. Winds have shifted more west, and even southwesterly in places, and are blowing 5–15 mph with gusts into the 20s. At 11,000 feet, winds are stronger, around 15–25 mph with gusts into the 30s.
Today will be mostly sunny, with moderate southwest winds remaining elevated along the highest ridgelines, where gusts may reach 35 mph. Temperatures will warm into the upper 30s °F at upper elevations and the upper 40s °F down low. Overall, the longer-term weather outlook remains fairly grim, with not one but two blocking patterns setting up to deflect any potential storms. However, there are hints of a pattern shift in the second week of February, possibly closer to Valentine’s Day. For now, we will keep updating the models and hoping for a change.
Riding and travel conditions are much improved thanks to Wednesday night’s couple of inches of snow. It’s a good time to get out and explore.
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So far this season, Alta has received 143 inches of snow, just 51 percent of the 45-year average of 282 inches. Water totals tell a less depressing story, with 18.31 inches of water equaling 76 percent of average.
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The Week in Review is hot off the press!
Yesterday, we received one report of someone kicking off a very shallow slab of wind-drifted snow about 5 inches deep and 20 feet wide on Conehead. This occured on an east-facing aspect near 9800'. See photo below.
Another party noted seeing the debris from a decent-sized facet sluff in Red Pine. While still not enough to bury a person, it was enough to knock someone off their feet.
Of note, whereas these dry loose “facet” sluffs used to be consistently be just big enough to knock you off your feet, they are now nearly large enough to bury a person.
Conehead avalanche - East aspect - 9800' - Shallow slab of wind-drifted snow. (Photo: Evan)
