Quick report
- Red Flags
- Recent Avalanches, Heavy Snowfall, Wind Loading, Cracking, Rapid Warming, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Poor Snowpack Structure continues to be the complex issue at hand. Mid pack and Basal Facets have been recently active when any new significant Load occurs. No Avalanches into Old Snow were observed today, but poor visibility prevented accurate and complete observations. Widespread Natural Avalanche Cycle observed on all Steep E, NE and N facing terrain with slope angles > 35 degrees. It appeared that the predominent and reactive Weak Layer was the initial first inch of Light Density Snow that fell overnight. Small Cornices were calving off Naturally and triggering some of the activity. Widespread Cracking in the New Wind Loaded Snow was observed. Wind Loaded Drifts of up to 2 foot deep were observed. Overnight Forecast into Thursday is calling for significant Rapid Warming with 9000 feet temperatures reaching 40 degrees. </p>
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>See above, and Avalanche Observation of Widespread Cycle. Sustained forecasted Winds with Snow Densities becoming greater may cause this problem to Increase overnight. As Temperatures Lower on Thursday Afternoon this problem may Decrease Slightly. </p> <p>Wet Slab and Loose Wet Avalanche Potential Problems may become active over the next 18 hours with the forecasted temperatures Rapidly Rising. </p> <p>Persistent and Deep Slab Potential is very possible with additional water weight and wind. </p>
Snow at 8000 in Silverfork was wet and Saturated throughout the storm period. Snow at Upper Elevations was Mixed Forms and mostly Graupel. Riding was excellent on Low Angle SE, S and SW. The Low Angle slopes only incurred a thin Zipper Crust from the Sun over the past few days and it was covered by up to 5 inches of dense "Buttery" Snow. Wind Crusts were observed on the exposed Southerly facing ridgelines.