Quick report
- Red Flags
- Recent Avalanches, Heavy Snowfall, Wind Loading, Cracking, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>The combination of the Density Inversion (as cited above), Heavy Precipitiation, and the Strong Winds from Wednesday appear to be enough Red Flags to believe there is still potential for Lingering Reactive Slabs. Of Note: Explosive Control in Upper BCC released Hard Slabs that were up to 3 feet deep. And reports stated that there were areas with "Spooky/Errie" feeling "drum like" Wind Loaded areas that were Stubborn and not reactive. Slope Cuts were easily releasing 20 inch/plus Wind Ladden Soft Slabs on Steep Convexities with Slope Angles > 37 degrees. Cracking was also evident in these same locales. </p>
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>See above for details; and the Winds did not appear to die down in the Upper Elevations until after 1200 hours today. These Hard Slabs may still possibly be reactive and Likely in very steep N and NE facing terrain on Friday. The Wind Loaded Soft Slabs may be possibly settling out by Friday and more Unlikely. </p> <p>Early in the day the Storm Slabs, that were present due to the previously cited Density Inversion, were easily Triggered and Reactive on Steep Convexities. With the extreme Cold night forecast these may become significantly more Stubborm on Friday. </p> <p>Buried NSF's from last weekend still appear to be the Wildcard out there, and in Very Steep Northerly facing terrain this Problem may still be Likely. </p> <p>The morning appeared to start out with the Danger being Considerable with the Winds still active; yet by Mid Day the Danger appeared to lesson to Moderate. And, with the lack of Natural Activity observed this validates this reasoning. For Friday, there appears to be a High Consequence Moderate Danger with potential for Moderate Sized Hard Slabs in the previously cited areas. </p>
6 inches of Light Density Snow from overnight overriding the settled 6 inches of Dense Snow from during the day on Wednesday. Density inversion that was evident on Wednesday (due to Wednesdays Denser Snow capping the Light Density Snow from Sunday/Mondays Event) appears to be settling out significantly. Shears indicated a Strong over Weak Layer still observable, but as reported by others, the quality of these shears was not Clean. Riding conditions today were fast with the Light Density Snow providing good "silky" turning on Moderate and Low Angle slopes. Slopes 30 degrees and over that were not showing signs of Loose Dry Avalanches and or Slab Avalanches were excellent. There times it was essential to keep your tips coming back up out of the snow due to the lingering Buried Density Inversion. Even Snowboarders were needing to be careful. Trailbreaking was much improved today.
Exposed Ridge Lines and Leeward Deposit Zones facing NE and ENE were showing signs of Wind Sculpting and Loading respectively. Wind Slabs of up to 24 inches deep were observed.