Utah Windriders Association

With the forecast, have to ask

1- how much snow does it take to get a decent base down and make strawbs rideable?

2-was there any existing snowpack at all on the hills? Super concerned about the avy danger in the coming days

Avalanche danger is a very valid worry.
As kiters, We are fortunate that the prevailing winds are on the opposite side of most Avy danger.
The biggest kiter Avy danger I see would be a SE wind at Skyline during any elevated avy danger.
BUT,,
Always check the avalanche center before you go and at least take a beginner class
or watch this video

http://utahavalanchecenter.org/kbyg_video

Erik,

We need a couple feet of good solid pack for Strawberry to be rideable, the heavier the snow the better. The good news is the coming storm is forecast to be westerly which should translate to rain in the valleys and heavy, wet snow in the mountains. This is exactly the type of snow that is needed to cover the sagebrush at Strawberry. Light fluff is fun to ride, but does nothing in the coverage of sage. This coming storm could bury Strawberry enough that we may be riding there next week.

Kenny

Utah Commuterlink's camera is up at the udot maint building by Chicken Creek. Pointing towards the Co-op side looks like brown town unfortunately. Good news is at least the res is frozen over, a good 6 inches could make for some fun. Also the trailered temporary weather station was back at Strawberry River a week or so ago with the camera working however it wasn't up today.

http://www.utahcommuterlink.com/

Kenny, thats what I was hoping to hear!

Kevin-glad we don't have anything down, it'll make for a much safer base comparatively...the snowpack is going to be downright scary elsewhere for a while after these storms with that weak sugary base.

rode mud creek sunday with one inch of snow on the ice. most of strawbs. res. had no snow.Ice fishing was on, so ice should be good with some new snow.

Portable weather station at Strawberry River is up and running on Meso West. Its listed as RWIS3, Scroll down on the left side under more info for live camera.

Kevin,
I've tried to find the portable station at Strawberry river, on Meso West's site but it eludes me. Can you guide me to it. Thanks
Jon

Jon, you can find the info from that station here:

http://mesowest.utah.edu/cgi-bin/droman/meso_base.cgi?stn=UTPR3&unit=0&timetype=LOCAL

or you can find it on the map on the main meso site here:

http://mesowest.utah.edu/cgi-bin/droman/mesomap.cgi?state=UT&rawsflag=3

on the latter, you need to select "all networks" from the network drop down, select "current wind speed" in the overlay 1 dropdown, and then zoom in to the strawberry area.