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Skies are overcast with slowly warming temperatures ahead of another storm. Winds are backing (shifting counter-clockwise) to the west-southwest (blowing from that direction) at 15-20mph with gusts to 30. Mountain temps are in the mid to upper 20s.
The Big Picture: a storm arriving from the Pacific northwest will usher in another round of snow today, with higher snowfall rates expected by the late afternoon into the overnight hours. Temps will be in the mid-20s today, on their way to the upper single digits to low teens tomorrow. Winds should be light to moderate from the west. Snowfall should continue through tomorrow with 6-12" possible. I should say 2-16" because there is a fair bit of uncertainty with snow amounts with this system. Where there is not uncertainty is in the forecast strong winds from the east Thursday through Friday. As the storm closes off and moves south, cyclonic (counter-clockwise) winds along the north edge of the storm brings strong winds from the east. And nothing good comes from an east wind.
Current Conditions: Coverage is excellent with 40-60" of snow at the trailheads and 80-140" of settled snow in the high country. Most snow stakes are well above average (115-130%+). Riding conditions are, however, a bit rugged, with sun and wind damage across all but the most protected terrain. Hopefully by tomorrow, we'll have a new coat of paint for a nice refresh.
Two climbers experienced a very close call yesterday in the Triangle Couloir in lower LCC. Read their excellent report
HERE. Further up canyon, observers noted a new shallow but 150' wide natural slab avalanche at 11,400' from the relentless wind drifting.
A number of shallow but not inconsequential hard slabs of wind drifted snow were triggered by backcountry skiers on Sunday, with two skiers in separate incidents caught and carried. You can find more info
HERE.
