December 28, 2024
We have been in the bullseye for snow the last week. Since my last report 10 days ago we started with a warmer storm. It rained on the valley floor for a couple of days. The snow line was about 6500 feet. We sit at 5800. Good for the base. Yesterday I shoveled 13" off my deck from the last few days and another 6" came last night. The Alpine area has been getting significantly more snow than the surrounding areas. My nephew guides at Togwotee and he said they have not been getting the storms that we have. He said he can still see his tracks from 2 weeks ago. 3 more storms are in line to hit in the next few days. Snotel sites are as follows: Willow Creek (Bedford/Thayne) 50", Spring Creek Divide (Afton) 42", Blind Bull Snotel (Wyoming Range Greys River Area) 40".
Summary from BTNF avalanche report:
A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 11 am MST Monday
Over the
past 48 hours, periods of light to moderate snow showers has deposited the following amounts by zone:
Tetons: 12-17” snow with 1-1.5” snow water equivalent (SWE)
Snake River Range: 10-16”/1.5”
Salt/Wyoming Ranges: 10-12”/1”
Togwotee: 4-6”/.5
Over the
past 24 hours, snowfall totals by zone are:
Tetons: 4-7”
Snake River Range: 3-6”
Salt/Wyoming Ranges: 3-5”
Togwotee: 1-2”
Ridgetop winds have been on the uptick, with averages climbing into the 25 mph range out of the southwest during the overnight hours in both the Tetons and Salt/Wyoming ranges. Other zones are experiencing slightly lower wind speeds, in the 15-20 mph range. Temperatures have remained relatively stable, in the low to high teens at 10,000 feet and mid to high twenties in the valleys.
Today will see a continuation of this pattern, with more snow and wind. By sunset, expect an additional 4-8” of snow in the Tetons and Snake River Range, 5-10” in the Salt/Wyoming Ranges, 3-6” on Togwotee. Winds will be out of the west and southwest at 20-25 mph. Temperatures will climb into the low twenties at 10,000 feet and low thirties in the valleys.
Overnight and into tomorrow will see an increase in snowfall intensity, as additional waves of moisture impact the region.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Dangerous avalanche conditions exist. Human triggered avalanches are likely in steep terrain in the mid and upper elevations today. Natural avalanches are also possible. Travel in avalanche terrain requires careful route finding and an awareness of terrain above. The danger will be CONSIDERABLE and rise to HIGH late in the day as a continuing storm brings high snowfall rates and increased winds.
An avalanche warning will be issued beginning at 6pm tonight and will be in effect until 6pm Sunday.