Quick report
- Cracking
- specific
New snow became increasingly more unstable throughout the day in direct relation to increasing SW wind (strong consistent gusts) transporting snow in all directions (downslope, cross slope, you name it). Wind slabs were actively growing in size and distribution primarily on leeward N-NE-E aspects. The weakest new to old snow bonding interface was on more sheltered NE-E aspects that contained well developed facets. Easy hand shears on wind loaded southerly aspects failing on near surface facets above breakable melt freeze crust. Short periods of moderate to strong snowfall containing graupel that could make some interesting midstorm instability as snow continues.
Specific wind loaded slopes.Avalanche
- Size
- D1 R1
- Type
- SS
- Aspect
- NE
- Trigger
- AR
- Elevation
- 9000 ft
Steep wind loaded slope. Failed on new to old snow interface comprised of well developed weak facets (0.5mm capped with near surface facets). Decent propagation despite the soft slab quality that had sluggish character downslope. This slope was sheltered from northerly wind last week without any evidence of windboard below new snow.