Quick report
Overall Low danger with areas of Moderate where there is wind drifting. This is elevation-dependent and most prevalent above about 10,000, especially in open bowls and along exposed ridgelines. Wind drifts are shallow (~30 cms) where we were traveling but could be consequential in steep terrain.
With more snow and wind forecast beginning Friday and into the weekend, I was paying attention to the existing snow surface and overall it was not looking that weak which is a good sign for stability going into another stormy period.
Photos of
wind-sculpting near Lake Peak;
winds affecting the upper elevations;
small wind pocket from upper White Pine near Red Top Mountain. with tracks adjacent, I'm guessing this was likely skier-triggered.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Persistent northerly winds continue to affect the upper elevation alpine terrain. We were able to find a few pockets of wind-drifted snow up to 30 cms thick and they weren't reactive, but we also saw plenty of transport occurring so it it likely there are reactive wind drifts present. With increasing winds forecast for Friday, the trend is increasing danger as there is *so much* loose snow available for transport.</p>
Pockets of fresh wind drifts up to 30 cms along exposed ridgelines.