4:15am temp at 6350’ in Carnelian Bay: 28.1 deg. Trace new snow.

5:30am temp. at 8650’ Tamarack TH: 22 deg.

Backcountry Obs.:

It was a cold and windy morning in the Mt. Rose backcountry today. Strong NE winds were moving lots of snow from the trailhead to the summit. At dawn along the higher ridges huge plumes of snow were being tossed onto SW aspects as the NE winds stripped any loose snow from windward exposed bowls and faces. Those denuded aspects will have a firm bed surface upon which the snow from the incoming storm will need to bond. Snow loading on other lee aspects likely poses some risk of wind slab development today.

Skiing in the trees was still cold and soft, despite the wind and occasional buffed texture. Good fun out there!

Forecast Thoughts:

The forecast for the biggest and coldest storm of the season to date is still holding. Snow moves in tomorrow am, peaks during the afternoon/evening, and then will taper to showers in the lingering cold, unstable airmass. North winds behind the system along with relatively warm waters could fire some lake effect snow bands on the south shore. Those are always fun to see. I think 1-2 feet is a safe bet depending on elevation and location.

We get a break early next week before more cold systems potentially affect the area mid/late week.