Quick report
- Red Flags
- Rapid Warming
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Snowpack tests continue to score CTM and CTH nonsudden results. And the most common lingering weak layer that has been identified is a recrystallized graupel layer around 45 cm down. With the snowpack either trending towards isothermal and or already there, the pack appears to be showing strong signs of stability in areas traveled. </p>
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>With no new activity observed over the past three days in the Snowbird/Alta periphery, it appears that this issue has a decreasing trend. In the outlying terrain south of this area there appears to be continuing significant wet loose activity, and new slides were observed on the easterly slopes of Timp. A forecast for warmer temperatures and potential cloud cover for Friday night and Saturday may help initiate more activity. </p> <p>These sustained unseasonably warm/hot temperatures may be enough to help the cornices out there begin to fail, and it will be interesting to see if any of the large overhanging features will be enough to trigger slides upon descent. </p> <p>In the areas traveled again today, the danger appeared to be Low. Saturdays temperatures and cloud cover may escalate the danger to Moderate, but it appears that we will have to wait and see if the cloud cover will materialize and exacerbate the situation. </p>
Upper exposed alpine areas on westerly facing slopes had old wind sculpting. The corn harvest continues and despite temperatures not dipping below the freezing mark, the refreeze was even better than the previous day. 20 cm m/f crusts were observed on low angle westerly aspects down off the ridgelines. SE appeared to come on around 9:00 and still be acceptable as late as 11:00. WNW aspects were still too firm at 1:00, and all slopes appeared to hold good riding conditions much longer than anticipated. Of note, the thick northerly trees continue to have dense settled wet/damp riding conditions that are the most inconsistent and challenging. Finally, the need for fresh wax on your skis is a must if you want to avoid the problems associated with the flat and low angle grabby slush.