Quick report
- Red Flags
- Heavy Snowfall, Wind Loading, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>It's been snowing for 5 straight days with no sign of stopping. SW winds continue to howl and snow was moving around all day today. In addition to PWL and wind slab, storm slab avalanches will be a concern Friday and Saturday.</p>
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Two feet of fresh snow has put a good load on our buried persistent weak layer. Mid and upper elevation slopes facing N and E have been continuously loaded by SW winds for the duration of the storm. With the combination of wind transported snow and heavy snow fall I would expect a natural cycle to be happening in the high country. We have had zero visibility the last few days, but when things clear I am expecting to see some slides. We should see some natural activity after tomorrow if the weather forecast delivers as promised. If we get the forecasted amounts I'm anticipating High danger for mid and upper elevation slopes facing NW through E. The danger will depend on the timing of the storm, but we should start out with considerable danger rising to high as the storm progresses. </p> <p>Plenty of fresh snow available for transport and SW winds have not let up for the entire storm. Be on the lookout for fresh drifts on all aspects mid and upper elevation and especially slopes that face N and E.</p>
The new snow skied heavier today than it has the past two days. Tuesday was classic cold smoke, Wednesday was DEEP and light. We picked up maybe an inch or two Wednesday into today. I think the heavier nature today was due to continued wind transport. The top of the pack is starting to feel like a soft wind slab. Also, the two feet of snow we have received since Christmas has had some time to settle down and become more cohesive. We cleared 10 inches of snow off the storm board today. That's 10 new inches since Tuesday when we cleared 14". 38" base at the study plot.