We received another shot of snow over the last 24 hours. This time it looks like the Fairview Canyon region is the winner with a foot or more of new snow. Ephraim Canyon picked up about 7" and 12 Mile Canyon is about the same. The wind has been strong from the west northwest overnight. Temperatures have dropped to near 10˚F. It's still snowing fairly hard on the north Skyline and we might see a few more inches before it clears mid day.
To be honest, I have very little information about the current state of the snowpack. I have not been able to get into higher elevations since Wednesday. Here's what I do know.
- There was 5 to 9 inches of old snow from October lingering in the upper elevation more northerly facing slopes. This snow had turned into weak sugar snow.
- By Wednesday there was 2 to 3 feet of total snow in the upper elevations and it was unconsolidated with no base. You would sink right through to the ground.
- On Thursday, east wind speeds were strong and drifted snow. 10 inches of snow was stripped off one of my storm boards which is used to measure storm snow.
- On Friday, the Skyline received another foot of snow. Late Friday, the wind direction switched more to the west and speeds became strong.
- As of this morning, storm totals for the week are about three feet containing nearly 3 inches of water. The wind is still blowing strong from the west northwest.
So, a lot has happened and I won't know exactly what is going on with the snowpack until I get up there today. The following are the two avalanche problems to be concerned for today.
