Above freezing in Girdwood with a break in the rain

Glacier City is receiving a nice break from precipitation and ultra-grey skies. The temperature, however, is still above freezing. It is 34° at the T this morning. As of noon, the resort is still firing rounds from the howitzer to try and clear potential avalanche danger. They started at 8 am this morning. There was a fair amount of snow on the upper mountain, snow looks like it held steady at about 5-700 feet elevation. At sea level, not so snowy. 

I like seeing the snow stuck on the trees on Max’s shoulder. That gives a better feeling of winter, which it should be! 

Thankfully there were no drunk driving accidents on New Year’s. There were some calls for cold exposure, which in a way was a drunk accident. Drunk kids not realizing they were too cold because they were so inebriated. 

The Resort had an accident due to high winds. A gust blew a tram car into the tower carrying the cables. See more about it on this news website. Everyone made it to the base safely and there were no major injuries. Quite an exciting way to begin a new year! 

Parts of the earth remain exposed to the air today in Girdwood. If you planted new trees this past year, you would do well to mulch around their bases to protect tender roots from freezing the next time the temperature drops. Trimmed tree limbs with needles still on them make good mulch, or you can purchase shredded wood mulch at any garden center. 

Here is a view up Glacier Creek toward Raven Glacier. There are areas on the creek where the water is melting over the snow, seen in the center right. Normally the snow and ice would be covering more of the creek flow and the flow under the bridge. There is no snow under the bridge. 

Heavy, white, blizzard Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone! Were ever you are, I hope this little glimpse of relentless snow makes you feel the spirit of the season. It has been snowing heavily since yesterday. At one point last night, about 10p, the temperature had warmed up to 36° at the turn off to Girdwood on the Seward. As a result, the snow was very slushy and wet. It was so wet it was very heavy to shovel off the driveway. At that time the temperature was 36° at the T.

Today, however, the temperature is cooler, down to 33°, we’d like to to drop a few more just to be sure the snow doesn’t melt for the skiers! It has been windier here in Glacier Valley for Christmas day. The Resort had to delay opening due to avalanche mitigation and did not run the new Ted’s Express due to high winds. Below is a view toward the ski mountain, you can just barely see the lights on the mountain the snow is so thick. With the lower temperature, I can see the snow is not as wet as yesterday. The flakes are not falling as hard indicating they are not as heavy. We like that best! 

All of you adventurous skiers, please be aware there is an avalanche warning issued by NOAA and the CNFAIC. See the Special Weather Statement link. I know all this fresh stuff is tempting, but remember, its wet and it has fallen on several layers of frost which make for weak layers. The snow needs to build up heavy enough to smash those frost crystals. Or, let the avalanches occur naturally before you venture out! 

I hope every one is home safe to celebrate the day, warm and cozy, sharing quiet time with friends or family. For those of us not home, lets think warm thoughts and hope everyone sent overseas at their government’s request returns home soon. 

Are we the luckiest snow valley in skidom right now? Last night on my last look at the weather forecast, the prediction was for clear skies today. It snowed most of the night and it is still snowing this morning. All the tire tracks are covered in our driveway, I am going to estimate about 4 inches of new snow. The temperature is 20° and the snow cannons are going on the mountain. Looks like it will be a great opening day for Alyeska. Above is Penguin at 9am. You can see its snowing enough that I can barely see across the valley.

Had to make a short drive this morning, the snow is feeling the consistency we like for skiing, the dampness is going away. Here is Max’s.

I have heard from other locals that they had been cross-country skiing for several weeks now. This morning I saw some on the bike path near Moose Meadows. The muni has been grading the path from Arlberg to town along Alyeska Highway infrequently, but enough to make it not a regular ski path. The times I have walked from Alyeska Highway to the Resort, the trail has not been cleared. That and the fresh snow made a nice run for these folks today.

For the best trails, look into the Girdwood Nordic Ski Club. This is an aggressive organization developing, maintaining, and working to keep safe and clean nordic trails in the community. Please consider joining to help cover the equipment and volunteer efforts. 

By 11am, the sky is starting to clear, temperature is 22° and road graders are out all over. My amateur weather station is located 20 yards from the T in Girdwood. You will find that temperature varies through town and may see different temperatures listed on the Resort’s website, the CNFAIC, and area web/weather stations.

Clouds to the right of me Sun to the Left of me

Feels like the snow event for this week is over. The cloud ceiling is high–well was at 9 am but– at 11 I see it settling down on Penguin. I would be glad to have fog stick around as just a while ago there was a slight breeze. 

The wind is knocking clumps of snow off the trees. Not light flakes, but wet stuck together blobs. 

Howitzer training is going on at the resort today. I hope they shake loose some snow that is sitting on that huge hoar frost layer. Everyone is hoping for the November 21 opening date!

Leaving Girdwood at 12:30, sun was visible at the Tesoro. Forecasts show clear tonight and Saturday. I expect to investigate the frost again soon. 

Returning to Girdwood at 9pm tonight, the Seward highway was nice and clear. However, it sure would be nice if the DOT put some more reflectors along the road, especially at curves. I know its a scenic highway, so that will be a challenge. I also know there are some creative people in the world and someone could devise a reflector that does not impede on the daytime scenic view....maybe that will be me.

This is what we like to see in Girdwood

Snow on everything and a cloud bank indication more snow. Here is a nice view toward town, Penguin Ridge on the left. Nice, because everything is covered in snow!!! They have been small wettish flakes however, the temperature has been between 32 and 34, oh so close. At night it did stay around 28.

Walking to work today, the snow was that mushy kind, really slid under the feet making walking weird. The temperature this morning was 30. I was afraid of it warming up and turning to sleet but that did not happen. Between 10 a and noon, there was a great snow shower and flakes were larger than yesterday. That was a good sight.

By 6pm, the snow had stopped, the precipitation was small wet spittle. Wet enough that it did not blow off the windshield. 

The Weather and Snowpack presentation was good at the Glacier Ranger Station. Wendy Wagner presented slides  on how to do column tests and what the snow density ratings mean. F- fist, 4-four fingers, 1-one finger, P-pencil, K-knife. So, before you go back country skiing or snowmachining, check the CNFAIC website for avalanche warnings, great pictures of avalanches, and snow column tests. For good detailed information, check the Observations. There are always good descriptions of snow pack, snow events from specific locations that can help you make an informed decision. There was helpful input from locals of situations to look out for. Jim from Girdwood Ski and Cyclery gave the typical Girdwood response to questions of prediction for the season “it always seems to work itself out into good snow” kind of paraphrased. He also gave this tip: don’t park under trees laden with snow, he has seen big dumps crush car tops! This is part of a series on avalanche safety presented by the forest service and Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center.

There was a small earthquake or tremor felt in Girdwood early this morning. I hope that shook loose some of that snow on top of the unstable hoar for those back country folks. 

Here is a shot of my driveway tonight, you can see some depth in the tire tracks. Mostly,  its damp, 30° (yikes) but holding. The resort is making snow, the fog is so dense, you cannot even see the mountain lights until you are right up close to the T. Good to see the lights on, right?

The other reason I want to show this picture, that is my husband just returning with Girdwood Fire and Rescue. There was a single car roll-over accident at mile 92.5 of the Seward highway last night. The car was a Range Rover and there were two passengers. The car flipped and landed next to the railroad tracks. The observation was, the road looked clear but never believe it now! There will always be a layer of ice right on the surface pavement. And no matter what kind of vehicle you have, don’t give the vehicle more credit that it has against weather! 

Damp Air

Ragged top is visible today, this morning anyway. It can just be seen in this 8:30 am photo. The fog has lifted leaving small crystals tightly knit to the surface snow. On checking the weather cams, there are high clouds today and indeed the forecast is for snow tonight and 100% chance of snow tomorrow. Max’s is seen below, sun blowing out the white in the cloud over the mountains. 

Last night there was a good aurora forecast, I wonder if anyone saw it in south central?

I walked up to the Daylodge just after 1pm. The moisture in the air was overwhelming, the dampness chilling my insides as quick as the out. It is interesting that the moisture particles can be so spread apart and remain suspended, it really is so damp there should be droplets forming. Its 30° and relative humidity is 95%.

The surface snow is crispy from the morning’s frost. The snow in the roadway intersections is brown and slushy. Walking is precarious without fresh layers of snow, small steps or cleats are advised. Walking on the trail is easier, there is always an edge to grip your feet in the snow. 

The Resort still has the snow cannons off, it concerns me for about 2 seconds before I decide not to care, its not my business. This view up Glacier Creek toward Raven Glacier shows what I think is a lack of nice snow, but it is only November. 

Thursday the 15th at 7pm there is a presentation at the Glacier Ranger Station in Girdwood: Mountain Weather and Snowpack. Anyone planning on skiing back country is advised to attend.

The temperature holds at 31° into the night.