Reported Friday, March 26, 2010 at 6:10 AM

Weather Forecast

Today:
Cloudy with snow mostly this afternoon 1-3" expected. Winds will be from the southwest moving to the west 10-20 mph and highs will be near 30.

Tonight:
Snow with another 4-7" possible. Winds moving to the northwest 10-20 mph with gusts near 40 mph at higher elevations and lows near 20.

Tomorrow:
Cloudy in the morning with clearing skies in the afternoon, another T-2" possible. Winds will be from the northwest 10-20 mph with gusting to 30 mph up high.

Weather Outlook

Clouds arrived earlier than expected yesterday, with very light snowfall beginning early this morning. The main front is expected to hit the area around midday, bringing bursts of heavy snowfall and strong gusty winds. Unfortunately for the GT racers it looks as though the meat of the storm will pass through tonight. Temperatures should be in the mid to upper 20's around start time with moderate snowfall. Several inches of new snow will fall during the night, and wind chill values during the race will make it feel like temperatures in the single digits. The storm will pass through tomorrow morning with quickly clearing skies tomorrow afternoon. High pressure will return for the latter part of the weekend.

Danger Rating

Extra Caution

The danger will remain LOW below treeline today.
MODERATE danger will be found near and above treeline with pockets of CONSIDERABLE danger developing later today as the wind and snow arrive.

Avalanche Problem #1

Wind Slab  
Moderate
LIKELIHOOD OF TRIGGERING
  
Smaller
AVALANCHE SIZE
  
Increasing Danger
Trend

In the Backcountry

We will see a return to winter conditions again today and tomorrow as we receive more snow and wind. Clouds and cooler temperatures today will keep the wet avalanche danger at bay, but we will begin to see fresh wind slabs build again this afternoon and tonight. With heavier snowfall in the forecast, we can expect to see rapid loading and thick slab build quickly tonight.

Travel Advisory

The timing of this storm will have everything to do with the rising avalanche danger. As the snow piles up and the winds increase the danger will rise accordingly. With winds moving from the southwest to the northwest we will see slabs develop on all easterly slopes. Keep an eye on local snowfall amounts and wind patterns today to gauge when the danger is rising.

Reported by: Banks