Fresh powder, great afternoon for skiing and riding

Attention all skiers and riders, today is the day to be on the slope at Alyeska! About 4 inches of fresh powder snow has dusted the base this morning. The flurries seem to be tapering off around noon. With a few blue patches showing in the sky, the snow may be done for the day as the forecast calls for sun this afternoon. The forecast also calls for more snow tonight and into tomorrow. The temperature in Girdwood this morning is 29° and is expected to hold perfectly for snow in the next few days.

At this point in the season I would advise skiers and riders to change your work schedule. Glacier Valley seems to be in a repetitive weather pattern, great snow during the week and sloppy on the weekend. Very similar to the huge weekly storms south central Alaska experienced in the 2011-2012 winter season. One slight difference, last season was epic, I believe this is an appropriate instance to use that descriptor. 

Here is my view of Max’s Mountain from two blocks away, the air is full of small, light weight flakes. Check the highway conditions and make a short run to the mountain this afternoon, the conditions will be well worth the trip.

Warm air creates crunchy snow surface

The temperature is steady at 33° this morning. Girdwood is experiencing light flurries that cannot decide if they want to be snow or rain. The snow has formed a crust on top due to the warmer air last night. I hear that skiing at the base is not so fun because of that. The light precipitation is accompanied by a fog bank. Above it is visible from the T looking toward downtown Girdwood.

Last night I shoveled most of my driveway (most because its a big drive with room for about 6 cars to park in) It was so warm I had to remove a couple of layers! This morning when I walked on the remaining snow, I could feel the crunch of breaking the top layer. The photo below kind of shows how warm its been. With the snow falling off the trees, the needles are shedding with it. Crunch crunch crunch....

Here is a shot at the base of the Daylodge. The fog clearly obscuring Max’s and the headwall. Our forecast is for the snow to taper off tonight and for clear skies tomorrow. Looks like the snow should return on Wednesday. Remember to check the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center for the most accurate weather.

Still sunny, day 14? Blizzard in the forecast

Better news, in NOAA’s forecast today we have a blizzard warning for Saturday! Today, though, we wake to the familiar gorgeous bright blue sky. There was a slight dusting of snow last night as I see when the car leaves the driveway, nothing significant, until....tomorrow!

The snow added some girth to the branches already growing with frost. This was a nice dreamy view with the haze in the air. The light on the trees in the background could not have been better.

The temperatures were a few degrees warmer, 7-9° with flurries around Bird Point. Which was the sight of a single car roll-over accident this morning. I am telling everyone, that road may be ‘clear’ but it is still slick. The driver was going to fast around the curve and slid off to the ditch. He had to be extricated but was conscious. Be careful! Yes, I am one of those pokey cars on the Seward, be thankful!

We drove into Anchorage today, here are some nice images of frost with the Chugach Mountains around Eagle Glacier (in the background), and the Turnagain Arm.

Light flurries around Bird on the way home as well, but stars in the skies.