Quick report
- Red Flags
- Heavy Snowfall, Wind Loading, Rapid Warming
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>High winds and wind transfer snow on all the high elevation peaks and summits, heavy snow, and rapid warming once the sun broke through. Rapid warming was evident by a number of roller balls in the south and west slopes at lower elevations.</p>
Overall, the riding conditions at the higher elevations and sheltered terrain was pretty good. In the lower elevations, sun baked aspects and wind scoured areas the riding/turning was more challenging.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>New snow, wind loading, and wind slabs due to the high winds and heavy snowfall throughout the am. See pic below of the active wind/snow transport.</p> <p>As temps climb throughout the day I suspect this could be problematic on sun exposed slopes. </p>
New snow accumulations are anywhere from 6-12" depending on elevation, heavy wind scoured areas and sheltered trees. Deepest being 12" in the higher elevations around wind protected trees. Below the new snow was either a firm sun baked crust or very dense, snow layer depending on aspect (slope direction). To give an idea of the average "new snow" depth i posted a image of my snowmobile ski below.