A Wasatch Cold Pool

Southwest winds picked up in the mountains overnight, bringing in much warmer temperatures.  It is presently in the 30s at most locations, including the top of Mount Baldy (11,000 ft) where it is 31F.

1425 UTC (0725 MST) 23 Nov 2011 temperature and wind observations
in the Cottonwood Canyons.

The coldest temperatures are presently at the Spruces Campground in Big Cottonwood Canyon where it is 21F.  The area around the Spruces is the refrigerator of the Wasatch as it is a flat basin in which strong cold pools can form.  That is certainly the case this morning.  In fact, it is 19F warmer at the top of the Moonbeam lift at Solitude.  Now that's what I call an inversion.

The cold air pool should scour out this morning, and temperatures at the Spruces will rocket to near 40F.  Be sure to dress in layers!