Quick report
- Red Flags
- Recent Avalanches, Heavy Snowfall, Wind Loading, Cracking
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Widespread avalanche cycle, similar to what Greg observed in Upper Little Cottonwood. We saw natural and human-triggered avalanche activity on many aspects, with slides ranging from 6 to 10 inches deep, primarily failing on a density change during peak precipitation intensity. Stepping off the skin track produced isolated cracking. There were a few brief weather breaks, but overall, light to moderate snowfall continued, with active wind transport along ridgelines and plenty of soft snow available for loading.</p>
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>The storm snow was reactive today. While some recent avalanches likely had a bit of wind influence, most appeared to fail as storm snow instabilities, primarily occurring mid-day during periods of high precipitation intensity (PI). I wasn’t able to get up close, but from a distance, they seemed to break along density inversions within the storm snow. When the sun briefly came out, instability took a step back.</p> <p> </p> <p>This problem will likely settle out generally quickly in the coming days, but instability will likely remain sensitive in the morning. <em>Natural avalanche cycle Mill D</em></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Throughout the day, there were obvious signs of wind transport, with plenty of soft snow available for movement. As the winds continue to pick up, I’d expect to see more widespread wind-drifted snow and a decrease in new snow instability.</p>
Anywhere from 8 to 15 inches of low-density new snow. Along the ridgelines, there was a bit more wind effect, and the snow gained a touch of density.
The sun made a brief appearance around 2 p.m., slightly increasing snow density at lower elevations. However, we didn’t encounter any crust formation, even on solar aspects.
New Snow depth near Mill D trailhead
A bit of wind texture near top of Powder Park 3