Quick report
- Red Flags
- Recent Avalanches, Cracking, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>The storm snow since Saturday has settled out significantly, and though it has become a more consolidated and connected Soft Slab, it has definitely become less reactive than it was two days ago. Despite this, cracking is still able to be initiated but slope angles now need to be 35 degrees and greater. No new avalanches observed today, yet caution was used to stay off of any sustained terrain on the upper half of the compass that was steep. All shady aspects have from 30 to 45 cm of buried advanced facets. </p> <p>Of note, with the low angle sun and light density new snow, there was R and R forming in the top cm of the snowpack. </p>
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>With the Winds continuing to transport significant amounts of the light density snow that is available, the biggest Avalanche Problem observed today was Wind Slab. The highest elevation terrain appears to be the most effected, but as stated above Ridgelines at 9800 feet were definitely getting loaded on the Northerly facing aspects and Starting Zones.</p> <p> </p> <p>In any areas that continue to receive even high end Light velocity Winds, this problem will continue to increase as the pre-existing weak snowpack will struggle to adjust to any new loads. </p> <p>At this point, only the due South terrain that was dirt before Saturday (and is now crusting) is where a variety of PWL's may not exist. DH, SH, NSF's, and NCF's can be found on almost all other aspects; and as stated above the R and R that is occurring on S and SSW aspects is helping set up even more Crust Facet Sandwiches on these aspects. Thursdays potential event may add enough weight and load (especially in areas that are receiving any Wind Loading) to produce a significant Natural Avalanche Cycle. And, even at this point, all observations from the BC indicate that there is a propensity for propagation on almost all shady steep aspects and terrain. </p> <p> </p> <p>It appears that we are locked into a High Consequence Moderate Danger right now with the Considerable or greater around the corner if the forecast verifies. </p>
Despite the low angle of the sun, South and SSW aspects got damp today. Aspects just off this window began to get effected, but the cold temperatures helped them keep from crusting. Wind damage was confined to upper elevation exposed ridgelines. Excellent Low to Moderate angle riding on WSW and SW facing terrain.