Gold Basin SNOTEL site (10,000')

The story today is the wind. A fast moving short wave trough will sweep through the area today bringing strong southwesterly winds and perhaps a few inches of snow. Pre Laurel Peak wind station is still rimed up but stations throughout the region are reporting strong southerly winds averaging 25-35 mph with regular gusts into the 50's and 60's, with Gold Hill in Telluride registering gusts to 80 mph. High temps today will be in the low 20's. A deep trough will remain entrenched over the west with successive waves moving through between now and Thursday. None of the action to date has brought us much in the way of significant snowfall and the next two waves seem to be repeat performances, but a system later in the week holds promise.

5" of dense new snow accompanied by moderate to strong SW winds plastered the mountains yesterday with snow even sticking to southerly aspects. Dave Garcia was up and reported that the new snow had a "styrofoam" feel that was "slightly upside down and grabby (but also) supportable, surfy, and fun." He also reported fresh wind drifts on northerly aspects, as well as observing this old, but previously unreported avalanche in Coyote Chute. Read his full observation here. On terrain facing NW through E an older, dense slab, 2'-3' thick exists over weak, October facets. The recent snow does not appear to have affected this buried persistent weak layer, but it is possible that a triggered wind slab could result in a deeper and much more dangerous avalanche. With continued strong winds and chance of snow in the forecast, continue to avoid steep, northerly aspects, especially where you can detect recent deposits of wind drifted snow.

Overall snow cover remains quite thin and rocks, stumps, and deadfall continue to pose hazards.

5" of dense snow has plastered the mountains even sticking to southerly aspects in spite of the winds. Note the heavy riming on the trees. Dave Garcia photo.