Snow has been piling up

Water vapor is continuing to condense around specks of dust to form ice crystals. The resulting falling flakes have built up snow levels to their best levels so far this winter. And, snow at higher elevations is expected to continue this week.

That solid base, with several inches of fresh powder on top, can hide hazards like hidden stumps, rocks, posts, and fences so officials are advising people to be on the alert.

Up around the Santiam Pass this week, depths ranged from 74 to 78 inches at sites like Tombstone Summit., and Lava Lake, along with the Ray Benson and Ikenick Sno-parks. At Potato Hill and Little Nash, there was about five feet of snow.

Across the region the snow will be the source of a steady supply of water when it melts, releasing between 1 and 1.5 inches of water for every foot of snow.

Recreationists are advised that Sno-park permits are required from November 1st through April 30th.