Quick report
- Red Flags
- Recent Avalanches, Heavy Snowfall, Wind Loading, Cracking, Collapsing, Rapid Warming, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Yes, all of these: Natural Avalanche Cycle began around 1130 and continued for several hours with increasing sizes. All Avalanches were Soft Slabs ranging from 6 to 8 inches deep and 25 to 100 feet wide. Slope Cuts were easily triggering these Slabs on slopes with Angles > 35 degrees. Heavy Snowfall began around 1200 with rates of S2 sustained throughout the afternoon. SW Winds were actively loading leeward terrain features. Cracking was widespread and observed on slopes of 28 degrees and greater. Weak layers appeared to be Light Density Snow that was capped by the Denser Snow that had fallen since 1400 on Saturday. NSF's from Friday may have also been part of this Poor Snowpack/Upside Down Equation. Isolated Collapsing was also observed in valley bottoms near creek bed, and this may have been associated with buried SH, yet this weak layer was not confirmed. </p>
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>See above and specific Avalanche Report. Continual abundant moisture combined with sustained SW Winds will Likely keep this Problem Active, Alive and Increasing through the next 48 hours. </p> <p>Roof Avalanches with Slabs created from all the new snow since Christmas active from 2200 and on. </p> <p>Widespread Wet Loose Avalanche Cycle from at least 8000 down to the Valley Floor due to rain on cold snow. And, as reported today in the Advisory, continual rain may possibly help initiate Wet Slab activity from 7500 feet down where the December Rain Crust is associated with Facets above this Rain Crust.</p> <p>Wind Slabs are also a concern as inferred by the reports of Active Loading and Moderate SW Winds. </p> <p>Danger appeared to escalate to High at noon today with the Widespread Soft Slab and Wet Loose Activity. And, with the forecast for unseasonably warm temperatures, abundant moisture, and Moderate SW Winds it appears that Monday will also have a High Danger. </p>
Above 9000 feet the New Snow remained cold and dry throughout the day and the riding was excellent as reported by multiple parties.
Rain has been coming down since 1300 hours at 8000 feet in BCC; and at 2300 hours the temperature is 40 degrees.