Someone gave the snow globe a shake last night, and another 4 to 6” of dense snow fell at the upper elevations of the Cottonwoods and on the Park City side. This brings storm totals close to a foot in the upper Cottonwoods, with light snow continuing this morning. The storm snow is dense, averaging about 12%, containing 1 to 1 1/2 inches of water. The rain/snow line fluctuated between 7,500 and 8,000’ yesterday, but has dropped to around 6,500' this morning. Temperatures are in the mid to upper 20s.
Today: continued snow, tapering off this afternoon. An additional 3 to 7” is possible. Winds will remain from the southwest, and should decrease, averaging 10 to 20 mph, with gusts in the 30s. Speeds along the exposed higher ridge lines favored by southwest flow could still average 30 mph, with gusts in the 40s at times. Temperatures will warm into the low 30s at 8,000', and hopefully the rain/snow line will remain below 6,500’ today.
A brief break is expected this afternoon and evening before another colder system brings more snow overnight into early Friday.
Yesterday, sensitive new snow soft slabs were easily triggered with ski cuts, averaging 6 to 10” deep in the wind drifted zones. Wet loose sluffs ran at the low to mid elevations, both natural and easily skier triggered.
Provo: natural wet loose sluffs in the Fingers on Timpanogos, 7,400’, NE, Shannon Finch photo
Numerous roofs avalanched yesterday, dumping large loads of snow into deep dangerous piles. (Matt Rollins video) Warm temperatures mean roofs will continue to shed their snow - please alert your friends and family who may not normally check avalanche forecasts. Roof avalanches can be deadly especially for children.