There's Much To Be Thankful For

Happy Thanksgiving to all Wasatch Weather Weenies.  We have much to be thankful for.

First we have yesterday afternoon's frontal passage, which pushed into the Salt Lake Valley with one hell of a shelf cloud and frontal nose.

Second we have the overnight storm, which was fueled by the front, the orographic lift of the central Wasatch, and the lake.  The latter two can be seen below in the form of a narrow, but intense lake band over the southern Great Salt Lake and a region of enhanced radar reflectivity over and upstream of the central Wasatch.  Note also the narrow precipitation shadow downstream of the central Wasatch.  Sorry Wasatch Mountain State Park, no soup for you.  

Third we have a spectacular snow coated Thanksgiving Day with clear skies and unlimited visibility.  I love sunrises like this morning's.

Finally, we have 12 inches of new snow at Alta, making it two storms in a row that have produced near the top of forecast expectations.  At last measurement, total snow depth at Alta-Collins sits at 20 inches.

Alta Ski Area reports that they are closed to uphill skiing, although the Albion access road and Catherines area are open.  Additionally, the Utah Avalanche Center rates the avalanche hazard at Considerable.  Don't let irrational exuberance get the best of you if you are heading out today.