Skies are overcast. Temps are in the low to mid-20s up high, the low 30s down low. Winds are generally light from the west-southwest, but blowing 15-20mph along the 11,000' level. But down to brass tacks: most areas received 2-4" overnight and we can expect another 1-3" during the day today.
Storm totals below:
LCC: 10"/1.25" (Snow-water-equivalent)
BCC: 12"/1.4" SWE
PC: 8-12"/~0.8"SWE
Ogden: 4-6"/0.6-0.8"SWE
Provo: 4-6"/1.3-1.6"SWE
The storm arrived hot and heavy on a southwest flow with a rough rain-snow line of 7-7500'. While the mid and low elevations remain grim, the dense new snow breathed life back into skiing and riding conditions in the higher terrain. You're still bottom-feeding on the coral on the solar aspects (low angle recommended), but the polar aspects are a delight. But it comes at a cost, however: there was lots of cracking, audible collapsing and sensitive and remotely triggered soft slabs. More below.
For today, we'll have off and on snow showers that may add up to 1-3" in favored terrain. Temps will be a touch cooler than yesterday and winds will be generally light from the southwest. We should have some clearing tomorrow through the early part of the weekend before the next series of storms arrive later Sunday into Monday.
Human triggered avalanches were the rule and not the exception yesterday with regular cracking and collapsing and easy to trigger shallow soft slabs, generally failing on the old weak faceted surface snow. Many avalanches were triggered remotely (at a distance) and most prevalent in areas seeing wind transported snow on north to east facing slopes in the upper elevation bands. In isolated areas, wind was not necessarily a factor as a party triggered a shallow soft slab near the Spire in mid-White Pine (LCC) on a northeast facing slope at 8900'. (1st photo). Paige and I found very sensitive conditions above Twin Lakes Pass and we were easily able to remotely trigger a couple soft slabs from 100' away. (2nd photo). We did hear rumors of two skiers caught and carried in mid-LCC, but don't have any details.


You can view all recent observations here.