Quiet near Essex

High level clouds burned off mid-morning, with a few hours of clear skies from about 10 am to 1 pm. Mid level clouds moved overhead by early afternoon; they were thin enough to allow some solar gain, but they seemed to have more of a cooling effect than greenhousing effect. Central and Northern Glacier Park remained under clear skies for most of the afternoon. The Swan Range was under thicker, overcast skies by the time we had views around 1 pm. The snowpack has settled significantly since last week. Ski pen is 3” to 6” now, as opposed to knee + deep last Wednesday. Some light snow transport at upper elevations but no signs of any reactive wind drifts. The recent freezing rain crust is very soft and thin here on open slopes, doesn’t exist below tree canopy. Small surface hoar growth in valley bottoms. Temperatures remained inverted with cold air pooled below about 4800’ on our exit.