SNOTEL Telemetry StationUTID: 366:UT:SNTL
Confidence:Moderate

Brighton (Big Cottonwood), UT: Snow Depth & Forecast

Physical Sensor: Automated SNOTEL Station •Elevation: 8,750 ft (2,667 m) •Coordinates: 40.598°N, 111.583°W •Region: Wasatch Range & Uintas

Activity Profile:
Verified Telemetry
0.0/10
PoorCondition Rating

Poor: Thin 0" base, softening at 53°F, calm winds.

Condition score evaluates settled base depth (0"), fresh powder, temperature preservation, and wind crust hazards.

Data Freshness & Provenance

🟢 Live Telemetry Synced
Settled Base DepthUSDA SNOTEL Sensor
Just nowStale
Recent Snowfall AccumulationAutomated Telemetry
Just nowFresh
7-Day Atmospheric ForecastOpen-Meteo Numerical Stream
< 1 min agoLive
Historical Baseline (% of Normal)NRCS / NOAA 1991–2020 Normals
30-Yr BenchmarkBenchmark
Settled Base DepthBrighton (Big Cottonwood)
Measured (SNOTEL)
0in
SWE (Water Eq.)0.1"
24h New Snow+0"
72h Storm Total+0"
Historical Season Baseline2% of Normal

Why Conditions Currently Look Limited

Brighton (Big Cottonwood)
Positive Condition Drivers
  • Calm 0 mph winds with low windchill
Limitations & Caution Factors
  • Thin 0" base with exposed rocks, snags & culverts
  • High 53°F temp causes rapid snowpack degradation
Mathematical Point Contributions:
Base Depth: 0 ptsTemp Thaw: -6.8 pts

7-Day Snow & Weather Forecast

High-resolution Open-Meteo atmospheric forecast

7-Day Total: +17.0" Snow
TodayOct 2
❄️
+4.5"
28°16°
💨 12 mph
SatOct 3
🌨️
+6"
24°12°
💨 18 mph
SunOct 4
❄️
+2"
26°14°
💨 10 mph
MonOct 5
⛅
32°18°
💨 8 mph
TueOct 6
☀️
34°20°
💨 14 mph
WedOct 7
🌨️
+3.5"
27°15°
💨 20 mph
ThuOct 8
❄️
+1"
29°17°
💨 11 mph

2026–27 Snow Season & Historical Baselines

1991–2020 Normals
Current vs Typical for Date
2%-98% below typical
Historical Average Peak Depth
92"Typically late Feb – early Apr
Typical Recreation Season
November - MayCore winter snowpack window
Methodology: Baselines represent 30-year median snow water and depth records calculated by USDA NRCS / NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information.

About Brighton (Big Cottonwood) Telemetry & Climatology

At the head of Big Cottonwood Canyon, Brighton SNOTEL measures snow depths crucial for backcountry tours into Guardsman Pass, Silver Fork, and Wolverine Cirque.

Season Normals & Recreation Windows

The typical winter season for this zone runs from November - May. Historically, peak snow depth averages approximately 92 inches, generally reached between late February and early April depending on elevation.

Measurement MechanismAutomated Ultrasonic Acoustic Depth + Snow Pillow SWE
Elevation ZoneMid-Mountain Ridge

Official Avalanche Advisory Required (Salt Lake)

SnowBase condition ratings score snow depth and meteorological quality, NOT avalanche danger. Before backcountry skiing or mountain riding, you must check the official regional avalanche forecast and carry rescue gear (beacon, shovel, probe).

View Official Avalanche Center Forecast →

Station Quality & Sensor Reliability

Verified Telemetry
Telemetry NetworkSNOTEL Automated Telemetry
Polling FrequencyHourly automated acoustic & pillow polling
Continuous Historical Record24 Years of Verified Data
Missing Sensor Observations< 1.2% (High Reliability)

Station Geography

Base Depth
48"+
24 - 48"
12 - 24"
< 12"

Nearby Telemetry Stations

Sorted by Distance
Alta Collins (Little Cottonwood)3.2 mi away • 9,662 ft (+912 ft higher)
0"SNOTEL
Trial Lake (Mirror Lake Uintas)33.5 mi away • 9,992 ft (+1,242 ft higher)
0"SNOTEL
Teton Pass (Phillips Bench)204.7 mi away • 8,200 ft (550 ft lower)
0"SNOTEL
Togwotee Pass231.6 mi away • 9,580 ft (+830 ft higher)
0"SNOTEL

Nearby Winter Recreation Areas

Surrounding Zones
Little & Big Cottonwood CanyonsThe epicenter of the Wasatch Range and Utah's 'Greatest Snow on Earth'.
3.2 mi→
Togwotee Pass & Continental Divide BasinThe global capital of Rocky Mountain mountain snowmobiling and high-country bowls.
231.3 mi→
Steamboat & Rabbit Ears PassEndless rolling high-country meadows and world-famous Steamboat champagne powder.
261.7 mi→
Recommended Guide

What is Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) and Why Does It Matter?

Snow depth tells you how high the snow reaches; Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) tells you how much water and mass is actually packed into that snow.

Read 6-min Guide →