0430 temp. at 6350′ in Carnelian Bay: 34.7 deg. / trace new snow and .16″ rain

0530 temp. at 8650′ Tamarack TH: 28 deg. / 6-8″ new storm snow

Backcountry obs.

This cycle appears to have under-performed for snowfall totals, but played as predicted for snow levels and warmth. This morning a snainy mix fell along the lake as I drove en route to Tamarack. Around 6600′ the snain changed over to all snow and quickly began accumulating a few hundred feet higher up.

At the trailhead, winds were light to moderate and snow fell around 1″ an hour. Yesterday’s tracks were nearly covered and I noted around 6-8″ of total storm snow. The snow’s density, especially down low, made setting a new skin track fairly easy as I didn’t sink down more than a few inches. Snowfall increased as I ascended and by the final third of the climb, snowflakes accompanied each breath. It’s been awhile since the last time I inhaled falling snow on a tour: a welcome change.

Snow on the top third of the mountain had a density change within it as noted by the trap door feeling with each stride. Ridges held soft wind pillows, but any wind texture was minimal. No obvious instability (whumphs, cracking, or reactive ski cuts) was noted.

Sticking to ridges and lower angle terrain, the skiing was great: soft underfoot and not too grabby. Much like previous warm storms this year, the snow in the higher elevations is playful and forgiving, making turns on fat features creamy, forgiving, and fun.

Weather and forecast thoughts:

The weekend storm cycle has delivered rounds of high SWE (snow water equivalent), great base-building snow, but it has been confined to areas above 7000′, and at times even higher. Yesterday afternoon rollerballs began coming off features above 8000′ indicating rapidly warming, moist snow. Throughout the storm on Sat. and Sun., periods of clouds and sun with high humidity and warm temps even reached the higher elevations near 8500′. Rain fell for much of the afternoon just above 7000′ on Donner Summit. The snowpack and coverage in higher areas continue to fatten, but the 6500-8000′ range hosts a sloppy combo of every imaginable type of wet snow. When the storm wraps up later today, I’m not sure it will have added any appreciable coverage opening more zones near 7000′.

Today more snow and rain showers will pass through the area before finally giving way to clearing skies tonight. Snow levels will shuffle between 6500-7500′ throughout the rest of the storm. A few to maybe 6″ of additional snow could fall in higher backcountry zones, especially along the crest. Temps will get to the mid-upper 30’s around the lake to near freezing around 8000′.

Sun returns tomorrow with a break in the weather and highs near average (flirting with 40 deg. at lake level), before another weaker system moves in for Wednesday. Much like the pair of storms this weekend, Wednesday’s system will be warm with snow levels just above lake level that will ping pong depending on time of day and precip. intensity. Snow totals above 8000′ should max out at 3-6″ of wet snow with .10-.25″ of rain at lake level.

Once the Wednesday system clears out, warmer and drier conditions look to take hold for next weekend and the remainder of January as a ridge of high pressure builds over the west. Ensembles do hint at ridge transience and the possibility of the storm track firing back up in the first few days of February.

Get out and enjoy what’s there!