Something for Everyone, But Pray for Snow

Pretty impressive storm last night with something for everyone.  Here's what I've been able to piece together for accumulations based on automated measurements through 7 AM MDT this morning:

• Alta-Collins: 1.15" liquid precipitation equivalent/13" Snow
• Solitude Summit: 12-13" Snow
• Thaynes Canyon SNOTEL: 1.2-1.3"/12-13"
• Deer Valley Ontario: 1.14"/8-9"
• Mill D North SNOTEL: 1.2"/10"

You can see from those numbers that the water equivalents are remarkably even across the central Wasatch and I suspect you'll find at least 8" of new snow throughout the range at elevations near and above 9000 feet, with more in favored areas. 

Mountain snow showers will continue at times today and tonight, followed by a break Wednesday, with another trough moving in Wednesday night and giving the mountains snow showers at times through Thursday night.  The numbers from the 6Z GFS are below with 4.6" forecast for Alta Collins for late last night through early Wednesday morning and then another 4.4" with the next storm.

The downscaled SREF has a range of about 2 to 11 inches for the entire period.  That's a lot of spread, and it likely reflects the scattered nature of precipitation features expected during the period.

I'm inclined to go with another 3-6" for Alta-Collins through early Wednesday morning and then another 3-6" for the Thursday storm. 

Given the current 20" snow depth at Alta-Collins and 2.6" of snowpack water equivalent at the Snowbird SNOTEL (9177 ft), that will put upper Little Cottonwood near what I consider to be the lower limit for skiing in meadowy areas on a natural snowpack (24" base with about 3" of water).  

Based on those numbers and the forecast, NOW IS THE TIME TO PRAY FOR SNOW.  The extended forecast for the weekend and at least the first part of next week is not good, with precipitation odds scant.  We need one of both of these systems to be an overproducer to push us into deeper territory.