The image below shows the radar reflectivity (purple = high) this morning at 1300 UTC (0600 MST) and the dramatic effects of the mountains on the precipitation during this event. Note the higher returns over the Stansbury, Oquirrh, and most of the Wasatch Mountains (see also previous post). I have also annotated the outlines of the ski areas on this map in red. There are issues with radar sampling over and downstream of the Wasatch range (for example, the lack of returns over Snowbasin is due solely to beam blockage by the terrain - it was snowing hard there during this period). Nevertheless, this image illustrates that in the central Wasatch, the heavier precipitation was found over/near the western slopes, with a dramatic dropoff in radar reflectivity as one moved eastward to the Park City ridge line and the Wasatch Back.
In addition, the storm was quite shallow in the Cottonwood Canyons. I just got an informal report from Snowbird and was told there were a few inches on top and a foot and a half near the base. Apparently Baby Thunder was the place to be. Wow.
Also evident in the image above is the dramatic enhancement of precipitation near Ben Lomond Peak northeast of Snowbasin. At 11 am, Liberty, which is in the valley immediately east of Ben Lomond, reported a storm total of 28 inches.
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