We picked-up 3-4" of dry fluffy powder between Wednesday afternoon and Friday morning. This fell on top of the wet snow and ice that was left in the aftermath of the freezing rain event on Tuesday and Wednesday morning. The new snow will improve trail conditions considerably across the region but we'll need a bit more accumulation to get back to the conditions we enjoyed over the New Year weekend. Skiers should beware that crusty ski tracks, wet spots, ice and other obstacles will be lurking under this new snow. Use caution on downhills and drainage crossings.
According to the National Weather Service, the next chance for snow showers will be on Sunday, otherwise we'll see daytime temps hovering in the teens for the next 5 days, with nighttime temps dipping below zero.
Lake ice is reported to be 4-8" thick throughout the region and will get stronger over the next few days, but caution should still be exercised whenever attempting an ice crossing. Pay attention to stream inlets and outlets, and always follow this advice...
Skiing over a frozen body of water is a cross-country skiing past time; it can access you to areas not seen by most in the summer. With that being said it is a dangerous activity to cross frozen water bodies and should be done with care and respect for your environment. Know the ice conditions and be prepared for anything including heavy winds, snow drifts, whiteouts, slushy conditions, and thin ice.
The next report will be issued on Sunday 1/8/17.