snowing at Skyline, new cameras installed

[windzup]

2 inches had fallen at Skyline today. Noticed a new meter near the summit ridge. Powered by a mini wind mill and loaded with weird sensors. Everything but a wind gauge it looked like. Might be a new DOT camera. hmmm.

With more snow on Tuesday it looks like the first base layer 'may' be arriving.

Also, a new non-motorized area has been implemented for winter use. Won't affect us too much as we don't ride there often, but will be good for keeping the sled necks away from a back up powder stash.

Windzup,
Brian Schenck

[Erik Holmgren]

good to hear that!

What is a...surviveable? base at skyline for pre-season kiting?

[windzup]

I've seen people survive on a 6-10 inch base of packed pow...as that level will cover the grass and leave the rocks exposed enough to see most of them. That said, it was sketchy that thin. I like to see a minimum of a two foot storm roll thru, followed by another foot within a week. That 2-3 foot initial base will open up 90% of the riding....safely.
While I was stoked to see snow sticking to the ground, I must say it is way to thin and needs a whopper of a storm to come thru soon.

I'll keep updates here as I see them on the hill, we could get survival kiting after just a one-foot thick storm, but you would want to stay in certain areas to avoid the rock gardens.

Here's some pics from yesterday.

Windzup,
Brian Schenck

[Leo Chan]

Also, a new non-motorized area has been implemented for winter use. Won't affect us too much as we don't ride there often, but will be good for keeping the sled necks away from a back up powder stash.

Windzup,
Brian Schenck

Great to hear that!

[Kenny]

Brian,

Thanks for the update and photos. Maybe we will get the goods this week...

I hope they installed a camera. It would be so helpful to have a camera up there. I would attach streamers to every fixed object in the area.

I can't wait to dump the drysuit and put on the snowsuit, let it snow!!!

Kenny

[Erik Holmgren]

winter storm watch just issued by noaa, 1-2 feet or more expected through wednesday!

[Leo Chan]

The cam at Strawberry is down.

Erik, wanna go give it a try on Thursday at Strawberry?

[Erik Holmgren]

thursday i have an interview with alta, friday however i can be free after 1030....i'm willing to go wherever it looks best wednesday and friday if anyone is going out?

[windzup]

This is the morning report from NOAA... it is the same forecast for Strawbs and Skyline...

... it will obviously be thin and will be rock skiing, but its about time we get our share in Utah!

NOAA:
Today: Snow. Temperature falling to around 19 by 5pm. West southwest wind 13 to 15 mph becoming north northwest. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Tonight: Snow. Low around 8. Wind chill values as low as -8. Northwest wind between 10 and 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.

Wednesday: Snow showers. High near 14. Wind chill values as low as -5. North northwest wind 10 to 13 mph increasing to between 18 and 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

If I was a gambler I would bet all cash on 7.... come on 7.
Windzup

[JimSouthwick]

There are currently 2 active cams on SR31 close to Skyline which can be viewed on the Utah CommuterLink site ( http://www.utahcommuterlink.com/ ), the "old" one showing the stake (which is referred to as "Skyline SR31 mm10 NW") and one that is new to me, at least, "SR31 Mile Marker 13." (Looks nasty both places at the moment.) Click on "State Wide" in the "Traffic Maps" box on the upper left side of the homepage. As Leo says, the Strawberry River cam is not online at the moment, but there is now a cam at Daniels Summit (looking downhill toward Heber) and one at the UDOT "Strawberry Maintenance Station" near Chicken Creek. Nasty looking up there too.

[windzup]

Nice work finding those Jim! Glad to know its a usable camera in a good spot. Now, if only it had a wind meter... I wonder if we can add one and tie it in some how?

Windzup,
Brian Schenck

[windzup]

Snowed all day at the Line, with an upgraded forecast... I know where I'll be this weekend... but it looks to be first tracks for everyone in Utah this weekend with snow hitting top to bottom across the state.

Current evening Forecast at Skyline:
Tonight: Snow. Low around 8. Wind chill values as low as -7. Northwest wind between 15 and 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total nighttime snow accumulation of 5 to 9 inches possible.

Wednesday: Snow. Steady temperature around 11. Wind chill values as low as -15. Windy, with a north northwest wind 14 to 17 mph increasing to between 30 and 33 mph. Winds could gust as high as 47 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 5 to 9 inches possible.

Wednesday Night: Snow likely, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 9. Wind chill values as low as -11. Windy, with a north northwest wind 28 to 31 mph decreasing to between 6 and 9 mph. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Windzup,
Brian Schenck