Quick report
- Red Flags
- Cracking, Collapsing
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Cracking where there was wind-loading. I did get a few collapses where the wind-loaded slopes had weaker snow underneath.</p>
The 5-10 cms of new snow greatly improved riding conditions, but I was able to find the weak snow underneath the storm snow has now been preserved, and it will be a a potential weak layer going forward. Photo below shows the stripe of faceted snow underneath the new storm snow.
Avalanche danger remains Low with Moderate on upper elevation aspects where pockets of fresh wind drifts may be sensitive and long-running sluffs are possible. These two problems are mostly a concern in steep, consequential terrain.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>There are pockets of fresh wind drifts on all aspects at the upper elevations. With so little snow available for transport, these drifts are not widespread, but they are sensitive where they landed with weak snow underneath. Photo illustrates some cracking in pockets of fresh wind drifts.</p> <p> </p> <p>The new snow would sluff easily on steeper slopes. In a brief moment of clearing, I noticed these long-running sluffs off of Wolverine, likely triggered from a couple of riders. Though the sluffs were shallow, they do indicate the consequences of being carried over rocks and cliff bands.</p> <p> </p>
A generous 5-10 cms from this storm, but it has made all the difference and travel and riding conditions are greatly improved. The north/northeast winds did create pockets of soft winddrifts along exposed ridgelines.