Currently: Clouds have moved over the area this morning, and temperatures range from the upper 20s to low 40s F. Winds blowing from the south increased overnight and are blowing 10-24 mph gusting to 45 mph. Even at lower elevations winds are gusting to 30 mph. At the highest ridgelines above 9000 ft, winds are blowing 45 mph gusting to 53 mph.
Today: Clouds will continue to increase today. There could be some snow falling later today but none will accumulate. A cold front will pass overhead this afternoon and keep temperatures about where they are this morning. Winds will continue until after the front passes when they will become light.
Tonight and Tomorrow: Snow will come tonight and tomorrow bringing only a few inches to most areas with a few places possibly getting up to 4-6 inches. More snow should come late Sunday night.
It has been over a month since any real snowfall occurred, and snow conditions reflect that lack of new snow. The snow surface is important because it will determine avalanche conditions in the coming weeks and possibly months. Slopes shaded from wind and sun above maybe 8000 feet have a thick layer of weak faceted snow. Many other slopes have a crust of varying thickness with facets under it. Many slopes at upper elevations have been eroded and sculped by winds, and popular areas have lots of old tracks.
In general, there is plenty of weak snow on the surface, but its distribution is very complex, and will not follow a clear, easy-to-map pattern. As snow begins to accumulate in the coming week or two, I anticipate that avalanche conditions will become very tricky.
There have been no avalanches reported
