Quick report
- Red Flags
- Wind Loading, Cracking, Rapid Warming
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Pockets of very small Soft Slabs were observed in the very steep terrain. There appeared to be an upper pack inversion as a result of the daytime rising temperatures. These Slabs were only 2 to 3 inches deep; and for the most part this sensitive layer was yielding Widespread shallow Loose Snow Avalanches. All were manageable. Of Note, the previously mentioned Graupel Layer may serve as a moderately sensitive Weak Layer in the early morning hours on Saturday as the New Snow Settles out and becomes more slab-like. Very Easy Shears were observed with isolation and Hand Shears were an easy way to identify this possible Weakness. Slope cuts were initiating minor Cracking in the previously mentioned Upper Pack Weakness. </p>
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>See above with regard to the Possible Graupel Layer Weakness as well as the Shallow Soft Slabs observed. These weaknesses may still show signs of reactivity early in the morning, yet they most likely will settle out with daytime heating. </p> <p>With the N Winds forecast to increase even more overnight, this problem may be more prominent on Saturday; and it will be more commonly found on aspects on the Lower Half of the compass. </p> <p>Of Note: Rapid Rising Temperatures combined with Intense Sunshine will help to activate Wet Activity on Saturday; and there may even be some Shallow Wet Slabs in Isolated Areas. This Problem will increase in danger on Saturday. </p> <p>Overall the Hazard was manageable and Low on Friday. Saturday may see it escalating as to Considerable if the Sun is out fully in the late Morning and into the Afternoon </p>
The Current Event came in very dense and bonded well to the old snow surface. After the initial 1 to 2 inches it Graupeled for at least 2 to 3 inches, and then the New Snow Lightened up significantly allowing for excellent riding conditions on Moderate to Low Angled Slopes. In the Steeper Terrain, you were still riding on the bottom in many locations. Regardless, the dense snow provided great riding as long as you were avoiding the old frozen avalanche debris chunks. The Winds in the afternoon were stripping Windward Areas leaving Wind Crusts and Sastrugi; and also building dense slabs that were up to at least a foot deep in many locations. Below 9300 feet, the Snow Surface became damp/wet on all aspects. Snowfall during the day was intermittent and averaged S-1 Rates for the day with total daytime Snowfall in the 2 to 3 inch range. Of Note, the overall heat retained in the Snowpack from the previous warm days is still venting in many locations, and especially on Low Angled Terrain this heat was being trapped in the Snowpack due to the Cloud Cover. As a result, the Lower 5 inches of the New Snow at the Interface was damp. Hopefully the forecast overnight Cold Temperatures will help the Snowpack dry out. All that said, Saturday should offer excellent riding in the Upper Elevations at least for the Morning hours before the Temperatures Spike.