Temperatures this morning are in the upper teens to low 20s F although a few trailheads have a pool of cold air in the single digits F. Overnight, winds increased some from the south, not a huge amount, but enough to likely transport snow. They are blowing 15-20 mph gusting 30 mph. In a few locations, winds are blowing from the south-southeast.
Today temperatures will generally rise to the upper 20s F, but lower elevation locations should have temperatures in the mid 30s F. High clouds will gradually increase through the day. Winds will increase some and continue blowing from the south and southwest.
Snowfall returns tomorrow late morning. Heavier snowfall arrives Wednesday morning to Thursday morning. This storm looks like it will have strong winds, increasing temperatures, and increasing snow densities.
Strong sunshine yesterday warmed the snow on south facing slopes and some should have a slight crust this morning. Coverage is fantastic, and settled snow depths, even at lower elevations are 3-4 feet. Upper elevation areas and the upper cottonwoods have snow depths up to 6-7 feet.
To be honest, there has been so much avalanche activity that it's hard to keep track of it all. The thing to know about recent avalanches is that they have all been very large, deadly avalanches mostly on north, northeast, and east facing slopes. There were two notable avalanches yesterday. One in
West Monitor along the Park City Ridgeline, and another on
Little Water Peak in between Big Cottonwood and Mill Creek Canyons. Ski areas triggered similar slides with explosives including one caught on video at
Alta Ski Area.
View all the recent avalanche activity
HERE.
West Monitor Avalanche, 6 ft deep, 700+ ft wide, east facing at 10,000 ft in elevation.
Little Water Peak avalanche, 6 ft deep, 800 ft wide, northeast facing at 9500 ft in elevation.