Quick report
- Cracking
- isolated
Light southerly winds with moderate gusts near treeline on Grey Butte were transporting small quantities of snow onto leeward aspects. Ample snow is availible for transport. In a drifted site on a northwest aspect at 8,100 feet, we found about 32 cm of light, low density snow above denser snow that fell the day prior. As we descended on west through southwest aspects, the snow became noticeably ‘heavier’ and moister as we approached 6,500 feet or so. The old snow interface also became stronger - increasingly difficult to probe with the end of a ski pole.
Minor snowpack cracking was observed in the new snow, mostly on unsupported slopes above tree wells. Another forecaster traveling near and below treeline on Casaval Ridge noted isolated cracking and very small test slope failures on wind loaded features. Visibility impacted our ability to see much terrain and any potential avalanches from afar.
Weather
- Air Temp
- 22
- Cloud Cover
- overcast
- Wind Loading
- light
- Rain Elevation
- Below 3,500
- Recent Snowfall
- ~ 12 - 14 inches
- Snow Avail For Transport
- large amounts
Skies were overcast to obscured. Temperatures hovered in the low to mid 20's near 8,000 feet. Winds near ridgeline were mostly light and out of the south. Snowfall accumulated at a rate of about 1 to 2 cm per hour during the outing.
Snowpack
In a compression test at the same site discussed in the Observation Summary, we noted a CT SC down 60 cm and an ECTN16 down 40 cm, placing both results in the old snow. Overall, the results are consistent with test results in other locations near and below treeline on previous days. In general, the snowpack is right side up with lower density over higher density snow.