0430 wx. at 6350′ in Carnelian Bay: 25.9 deg. / 19.6 deg. dew point / 77% RH / calm winds and clear skies

0530 wx. at 8650′ Mt. Rose TH: 20 deg. / calm winds / clear skies

0630 wx. at 9900′ in Mt. Rose backcountry: 24.0 deg. / 11.6 deg. dew point / NE winds at 5mph / high broken overcast skies

Backcountry obs.:

The Mt. Rose backcountry hosted cold, powdery surface snow this morning (2/21) with 2-4″ of light, low density snow atop a springy base. Temps in the low to mid 20s and moderate NE winds throughout the day yesterday (2/20) kept snow surfaces frozen, despite mostly sunny skies. Sun crust was limited to aspects receiving the most intense solar exposure during the day yesterday (SE-S-SW).

Near and above treeline, N and NE aspects showed little wind effect, skiing fast, soft, and super fun. Whoops and giggles from surprised skiers crackled through the early morning silence, signaling yet another sneaker pow morning.

Weather and forecast thoughts:

Not much change to the forecast from yesterday. Starting today, a warmup overtakes the region lasting through the end of February, bringing the season’s first substantial corn skiing window.

Highs in the backcountry will warm into the 40s this weekend under mostly sunny skies. Lows this weekend will be in the upper 20s and 30s above 8000′, providing generally good overnight refreezes. Sunday (2/23) increased breezes and high clouds will signal the passage of a weak system to our north. A few light showers are possible Sun. evening into early Mon. Snow levels for any precip. that does fall will be above 8000′.

The coming work week will be dry and mild with highs in the 40s above 8000′ and lows in the upper 20s to lower 30s. Snow surfaces should receive decent overnight refreezes through radiational cooling. This should set the stage for a prolonged window of early spring corn.

Models suggest modest, colder systems entering the picture around the ides of March continuing into the first full week of the month. Winter’s not over yet.