This morning, under overcast skies, it is lightly snowing in the mountains, Accumulation as of 5 AM is between 2-5", favoring upper Little Cottonwood. Mountain temperatures range from the single digits to the low teens °F. Winds have picked up significantly overnight, and are blowing from the west-northwest at speeds of 20-30 mph with gusts between 40-60 mph at mid-elevations, and the upper elevation winds are gusting up to 80 mph.
Today, we can expect continued light snowfall, cold temperatures, and elevated winds. Temperatures will climb into the low to mid-teens °F. At mid-elevations winds will continue to blow from the west-northwest at speeds of 15-25 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph. At upper elevations, the winds will blow 35-45 mph with gusts up to 65 mph. We could see another 2-4" of new snow by 5 PM.
Overnight, winds will switch to the northeast and moisture should begin to shut off during the early morning hours Wednesday. Final snow totals should be around 4-8".
The wind and sun have taken their toll on the snow surface. On southerlies, you will likely find a sun crust under a few inches of fresh snow. On the Northerlies, you can expect a stiff wind board on many upper-elevation slopes. The good news is that soft settled powder still existed in the sheltered terrain before this storm.
Yesterday, one wet-loose avalanche was reported from the
Ant Knolls area of the Wasatch Back. This occurred on an east aspect near 9500'. This avalanche failed 4" deep, and approx 20' wide.
Small wet-loose from Ant Knolls, good reminder that even a small avalanche is enough to knock you off your feet. (K. Waller)
Find all the recent observations
HERE.
