Quick report
A widespread avalanche cycle occurred during the winter storm from Feb 23-24. Storm began with light, low density snow (huge stellars) and grew denser before finally turning to rain on the night of the 24th then back to graupel, sleet and more rain showers down low. Some lightning completed the smorgasbord of weather events. Extreme westerly and southwesterly winds formed wind slabs down to 8,000'. Snow remains upside down but crusts and wind hammered, stiff surfaces that cap softer storm snow were stubborn on test slopes. The weak storm snow is sintering but still needs some time. Forecasters in Mosquito Creek found JDL facets, similar to what I found in hand pits on northerly aspects below the storm snow and wind slabs.
Weather
- Air Temp
- 28
- Cloud Cover
- few
- Wind Loading
- previous
- Rain Elevation
- 7800
- Recent Snowfall
- 30
- Snow Avail For Transport
- small smounts
Snowpack
Rain impacted northerly shaded aspect almost to 8,000'. Snowpit observations and hand pits indicate that dry facets of the JDL still exist above that elevation. Though warm temperatures have encouraged some stablization in the recent storm snow and wind slabs, it is still possoble that these are reactive to human-triggering. The wind moved alot of snow in typically sheltered areas at mid-elevations, adding more strain on the weak layers.
Avalanche
- Size
- D2.5 R3
- Type
- HS
- Count
- 2
- Aspect
- NE
- Trigger
- N
- Elevation
- 10000 ft
A variety of avalanche types during the past storm. See attached avalanche obervations and photos.