0430 temp. at 6350′ in Carnelian Bay: 24.3 deg. & 93% RH

2″ new snow

0515 temp. at 8650′ Tamarack TH: 8 deg.

2-4″ new snow

Backcountry obs.:

Cold, soft snow continues to be the rule in the backcountry. A few inches of cold, light refresh rounded out yesterday’s tracks. In wind exposed and southerly facing areas, the cold snow covered a thicker wind board that was still springy and penetrable, but firmer than the snow found on colder, more protected aspects.

The new snow showed no signs of wind effect. Calm winds and cold temps promoted surface hoar growth over night adding another zippy layer atop the soft pow.

Prime time continues.

Weather and forecast thoughts.:

Today’s cold start will give way to temps topping out in the low 30’s under initially partly cloudy skies that will fill in throughout the day. Another small system will drop in from the NW bringing chances for light snow showers and a reinforcing shot of cold air for tonight and tomorrow. Accumulations will be light: less than 2″. Lows tonight will be in the 20’s around the lake and teens in the mountains. Highs tomorrow will flirt with freezing in mountain communities and remain significantly colder in the backcountry.

A ridge of high pressure finally makes moves on the area starting Saturday. This will bring bluebird conditions to the area with seasonably warm high temps (20’s and 30s for the backcountry, 30’s to 40 around the lake) under sunny skies. Nightly inversions look likely during this pattern, which could promote surface hoar growth on the snowpack in low lying areas: “recycled pow” for some, a future weak layer for others.

The ridge holds on into the next work week, but shows signs of flattening and weakening towards next weekend. This could bring some clouds and brush by moisture as storms begin affecting the PacNW. Further out, longer range models are hinting at a reopening of the storm door going into the President’s Day holiday week. It’s a ways out, but a prolonged, multi-week dry stretch seems unlikely.