Quick report
- Red Flags
- Heavy Snowfall, Wind Loading, Cracking, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Heavy snow and moderate/strong SW winds through tomorrow is really going to test the poor snowpack structure on the northern half of the compass with new snow and freshly formed wind drifts. There were some signs of isolated cracking near and at treeline in areas where a stiff wind slab has formed from the new and old snow on W-NW-N facing slopes. I will continue to avoid slopes >30 on the northern half waiting to see how they react to this storm being most cautious around treeline. </p>
Cracking as you approach tree line where the new snow becomes more stiff.
Around 2-3" of new snow had fallen during my tour, covering tracks and making for great turns.
Blustery conditions with a brief period of sunshine. Winds howled out of the SW all day
These are old photos, but this is the type of terrain that I will be very cautious around with the new snow. North facing terrain near tree line and in areas with sparsely spaced vegitation. Weak, sugary snow sits underneath.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>I did not dig a pit today, but everything I have this year on northern aspects has had multiple weak layers. With new snow and wind, there is potential to trigger avalanches that could possibly step down into old, weak layers from our long dry spells.</p> <p>With new snow and high winds a load will develop around the compass. On the lookout for fresh slabs at the new snow/old snow interface on top previously slick South facing terrain in steep areas. New and wind blown snow will settle more onto NW-N-NE-E facing terrain.</p>
From 9am-130pm around 2-3" of new snow had fallen covering previous laps up the North Woods. In addition, winds were transporting snow onto leeward northerly aspects which were riding the best today. With our previous storm and the new snow, sheltered northerly aspects felt around boot deep and skied excellent. Even at lower elevations where a melt/freeze crust was present around the compass, the new snow softened up turns along the shortcut. Open meadows and exposed SW-S facing terrain had wind blown dust on top of the previous melt/freeze layer. These aspects will likely need more snow unit they are enjoyable to ski/ride. On SW aspects in the trees the snow was soft from the new and wind blown snow. Approaching treeline, above treeline and along tree'd ridges there was a stiff wind slab at the top of the snow pack. I did not spend much time above treeline.