USDA SNOTEL TelemetryUTID: 1308:UT:SNTL
Confidence:Moderate

Alta Collins (Little Cottonwood), UT: Snow Depth & Forecast

Network: USDA SNOTEL Telemetry •Elevation: 9,662 ft (2,945 m) •Coordinates: 40.576°N, 111.637°W •Region: Wasatch Range & Uintas

Activity:
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FairCondition Rating

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Condition scores evaluate settled base depth, fresh powder accumulation, temperature preservation, and wind crust hazards based on current telemetry.

Observation Freshness & Provenance

Awaiting Live Telemetry...
Settled Base DepthUSDA SNOTEL Sensor
--Telemetry
Recent Snowfall AccumulationNumerical Weather Stream
--Modeled
7-Day Atmospheric ForecastOpen-Meteo High-Resolution Stream
--Forecast
Historical Baseline (% of Normal)NRCS / NOAA 1991–2020 Normals
30-Yr BenchmarkBaseline
Settled Base DepthAlta Collins (Little Cottonwood)
USDA SNOTEL Sensor
--in
SWE (Water Eq.)N/A
24h New Snow--
72h Storm Total--
Historical Season BaselineNormal Near Zero (Early Season)

Why Conditions Currently Look Limited

Alta Collins (Little Cottonwood)
Mathematical Point Contributions:
Base Depth: 0 pts

7-Day Snow & Weather Forecast

High-resolution numerical weather prediction

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Historical Climate Baselines & Normals

1991–2020 Normals
Current vs Typical for Date
Normal Near ZeroNormal for this date is near zero (early autumn)
Typical Seasonal Peak
115"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 Alta Collins (Little Cottonwood) Telemetry & Geography

The benchmark station for Utah powder snow. Alta Collins captures the orographic lift in Little Cottonwood Canyon, averaging over 500 inches of annual snowfall with incredible density and consistency.

Season Normals & Recreation Windows

The typical winter season for this zone runs from November - May. Historically, peak snow depth averages approximately 115 inches, generally reached between late February and early April depending on elevation.

Operating NetworkUSDA NRCS SNOTEL (Automated acoustic & pillow telemetry)
Elevation ZoneHigh Alpine Continental

Official Avalanche Advisory Required (Salt Lake)

FrostBurst 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 & Telemetry Metadata

USDA SNOTEL
Operating NetworkUSDA NRCS National Water & Climate Center
Reporting CadenceAutomated telemetry (hourly cadence)
Observation EquipmentAcoustic ultrasonic depth sensor & electronic snow pillow
Official Station ID1308:UT:SNTL

Station Geography

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

Nearby Telemetry Stations

Sorted by Distance
Brighton (Big Cottonwood)3.2 mi away • 8,750 ft (912 ft lower)
--SNOTEL
Trial Lake (Mirror Lake Uintas)36.5 mi away • 9,992 ft (+330 ft higher)
--SNOTEL

Nearby Winter Recreation Areas

Within 100 Miles
Little & Big Cottonwood CanyonsThe epicenter of the Wasatch Range and Utah's 'Greatest Snow on Earth'.
0.3 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 →