2009/10 Snowy Range snow conditions

[rev*baron]

Snow report for Thurs. Jan 21st.

Well if you like melting hifax and riding on hardpack then that's what you can expect until the fresh stuff shows up.....hopefully from this:

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

LIGHT SNOW WILL OCCUR IN AREAS WEST OF THE LARAMIE RANGE TODAY.
LOWER ELEVATIONS MAY SEE UP TO AN INCH OF NEW SNOW...WITH 1 TO 3
INCHES IN THE SNOWY RANGE AND SIERRA MADRES.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY

SNOW WILL RETURN TO THE AREA AGAIN SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY
NIGHT. SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF GENERALLY 1 TO 3 INCHES WILL BE
POSSIBLE IN LOWER ELEVATIONS...WITH 3 TO 7 INCHES POSSIBLE IN THE
HIGH COUNTRY.

 

[HappyJack]

Avy Forecast

Backcountry Avalanche Forecast for Front Range

Issued 01/22/2010 6:45 AM by Brad Sawtell

Highlights

A trace to three inches of new snow since yesterday. The Front Range zone is in a holding pattern for now. Snowpack conditions and stability are quite variable, especially above treeline. Evaluate each slope individually. Human triggered avalanches remain possible on all steep slopes. This next storm will do little through Friday, but snowfall is expected for the weekend.


Avalanche Danger
The avalanche danger for the Front Range zone is MODERATE on all aspects and elevations. Human triggered avalanches remain possible on all steep slopes.


Snow & Avalanche Discussion
The Southwestern portion of the State (Colorado)continues to be pounded from this storm. Winds over the Front Range have been blowing from the South and Southwest. New snow is more abundant further North with remote weather stations recording up to 3 inches. Fortunately, there still is not a whole lot of new snow available for transport.

Wind speeds will be breezy today and light snow will fall. Snowfall intensity will pick up as the winds shift to the West. New snow will fall on a variable snowpack that has not gained much in strength. Observers continue to note a wide variety of surface conditions ranging from light recycled powder to sun crusts over large facets. The weak snowpack foundation continues to be the concern. Above treeline, the snowpack is quite variable; from deep to non-existent. It is a tricky snowpack for backcountry travelers and will be more so, when a blanket of fresh snow changes the landscape. Instability tests still generate some low scores suggesting there are persistent weak layers in the pack. Avalanche activity will increase as the storm track shifts more zonal.

Visibility may not be the greatest today through Saturday. Travel cautiously and deliberately. Once the old snow becomes buried, our excitement for the new snow may alter our decision making process. The avalanche danger will remain the same until enough new snow enters the picture and stresses the current snowpack strength. Continue to tread lightly through this week. Be patient. This is a great time to really spend the time investigating the snowpack on multiple aspects and elevations. The landscape and stability will look different by this weekend. For now, practice wise travel procedures and carry and know how to use avalanche rescue equipment

 

[JFro50]

We are also staying at Ten Mile from the 6th-13th. I see you guys are also coming from MN.

We will be leaving for home on the 6th. Give us a shout we will let you know where we rode. Sounds like it might be good.

 

[1M800]

Sounds good. We will be rolling in early in the AM on Saturday.

 

[cheetah]

We will be leaving for home on the 6th. Give us a shout we will let you know where we rode. Sounds like it might be good.

JFro50 - I sure hope this year you can keep up with the 2 old men in the group, or are we going to have to school you again this year.

 

[undergroundrmk]

Was up there today not much new was blowing into Nebraska! Sorry was hoping for better myself! Rode from the west side to Lake Marie sad snow conditions in my opinion! Still a little fresh in the trees!

 

[IOWA CONTINGENT]

Leaving Weds. the 27th.

Hope things get better, this will be the first time in years that the conditions were not absolutely great. Think Snow.

 

[JFro50]

JFro50 - I sure hope this year you can keep up with the 2 old men in the group, or are we going to have to school you again this year.

I hope you and your brother bring n ice pack so we dont listen to the boetchin

 

[JFro50]

does anyone know what this weekends storm is going to amount to up at elevation. I also heard chance for a storm next week?

 

[dansyl159]

At 2:30 this afternoon it was snowing and blowing like a beotch, visibility was close to nil coming in. Good snow on the west side, close to bumber deep. Supposed to be more coming tommorow til Monday, guess we'll see.

 

[togwotee9]

albany bar post. Snowing hard down here and even harder up top. Back to my scotch

 

[dansyl159]

albany bar post. Snowing hard down here and even harder up top. Back to my scotch

Shane, Newmy with ya. If so for gawds sake make sure he at least takes his boots off before he goes to bed.

 

[Wahoofirecat]

I hope it keeps up. Heading that way this thursday.

 

[RMK159]

Snow conditions look promising for this week. Heading out Thursday and staying in Albany. Glad they got snow because it is usually a jaunt to the good stuff.

Anyone riding today, please get pictures and post. We all like pictures

 

[Coldfinger]

Snotel showing over a foot of new snow.

I need to get back out there and put some tracks on the mtn.

 

[togwotee9]

Shane, Newmy with ya. If so for gawds sake make sure he at least takes his boots off before he goes to bed.

we were good kids drunk by 9 asleep by 10. Over 2 1/2 feet of new and still coming

 

[JFro50]

we were good kids drunk by 9 asleep by 10. Over 2 1/2 feet of new and still coming

SWEEET Feb 3 can't come soon enough

 

[dansyl159]

we were good kids drunk by 9 asleep by 10. Over 2 1/2 feet of new and still coming

Perfect, just back down--headlight deep on the back side and still snowing hard. Took all the turbo had to get over Marie--woohoo!

 

[coyoteman]

sounds good boys. see ya thursday.

 

[scubba steve]

Bet I beat ya there thurs...