Quick report
- Red Flags
- Recent Avalanches, Heavy Snowfall
Thin naturals widespread near ridgetops, E-facing.
Mid-slope naturals on density change on steep rollovers.
Many areas where skis easily triggered top few inches with skis on angles over mid-30s. Mini SS on density change.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>-Crusts on thermal aspects from this last week may create a smooth sliding surface for new snow as it continues into tomorrow. </p> <p> </p> <p>-Sensitivity in the interface between the day's 2 pulses of snow. Mini soft slabs midway through storm snow. Many steeper areas naturaled and I would expect the layer to remain sensitive for a short time but possible failures in the very near future.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Isolated but still sensitive areas of hard wind-slab from this last high pressure's winds.</p>
Right-side-up new snow (6-10" above 8000') with light to moderate evidence of WSW wind effect. Most interesting was the density change that this and temperature change created between the morning and afternoon pulses of snow.
This interface was 2-5" below the surface and sensitive to skis on westerly aspects, propagating surprisingly wide soft slabs for how thin and soft they were. This layering also created a miniature natural cycle, examples on north through easterly aspects along ridgetops and over steep rollovers.
Many southeast through west slopes in this area also have a (generally pencil hard) thermal crust underneath the storm snow from this last week.