Had Enough Yet?

I'm up early and looking at the overnight numbers.  It was quite windy last night, so there is more uncertainty in the automated observations than usual, but from 5 PM yesterday to 5 AM this morning, the Collins gauge measured 1.91" (48 mm) of water and probably about 20 inches of snow (the 33 below is spurious).  The drop in total snow depth is odd, and that is one reason why I mention the uncertainty.  

Assuming it came in around 48 mm in 12 hours, that's somewhat unusual.  Below is a histogram of twice-daily 12-h snowfall and water equivalent (called liquid precipitation equivalent in the chart) over a 22 year period at Alta.  48 mm or more happened 10 times in that period, so about once every 2 years.  

Source: Wasserstein and Steenburgh (2024)

Since those are twice daily measurements, we would probably expect a few more events than that for any 12-hour period, but still, it appears we were in unusual territory.  Combined with wind and a weak snowpack, I suspect things were pushed over the edge last night.  Closing both canyons and declaring interlodge were 100% the right call, although you don't need a meteorologist to tell you that.  

Give the highway maintenance, public safety, and snow safety teams all your patience and respect today.  We are deep into too much of a good thing territory.  I love snow, but better it be spread out more than come like this.