Quick report
Yesterday, additional snow accumulations of a foot or more at upper elevations near the Hill climb area were observed. This brings our total recent snow accumulation to over 2 feet in some areas. Clear, calm weather and cold temperatures overnight have allowed this recent snow to gain strength over the last 24 hours. This period of increasing stability will be short-lived due to an incoming storm tomorrow. We expect up to an additional foot or more in the Hill Climb area into mid-week. Continued loading of an already thick storm slab may create hazardous avalanche conditions as the weekend approaches. Solar aspects have been active for a while now. When the sun comes out, we have been seeing wet loose activity on E slopes in the morning, S in mid day, and W to NW in the late afternoon/evening. Some WNW slopes above the Hillclimb Area are affected by mid to late afternoon sun. If you are traveling on wet heavy snow, you can expect there to be an increased hazard in your area. Spring conditions are in full force, with rapid changes in weather, temperature, and snow stability. Check our forecasts and observations for regular updates on the situation.
You can reduce your hazard by doing the following:
Limit travel on or below slopes steeper than 32 degrees
Travel with partners who are competent in snowpack assessment and rescue techniques
Travel one at a time on steep terrain and use a spotter.
Limit travel in avalanche terrain when hazards are elevated
Make travel plans based on your ability to handle unexpected or hazardous situations.
Know your personal risk tolerance and act accordingly
There have been few signs of instability observed in the area, although this does not mean conditions are safe. Continuous snowfall with few breaks over the last week has added significant snow depth and loading in some areas. This snow will take time to settle and bond to itself as well as the old snow surfaces below. Additional snow accumulation midweek is expected to add more stress to our snowpack.Weather
- Air Temp
- Near 30 at road level
- Cloud Cover
- scattered
- Wind Loading
- previous
- Recent Snowfall
- 30-60 depending on elevation (past several storms)
- Snow Avail For Transport
- large amounts
Multiple storm systems over the last couple of weeks have deposited 2+ feet of snow at mid to upper elevations throughout Thompson Pass. Winds out the South and East have redistributed this snow into deeper drifts and isolated windslabs at higher elevations. A transition to clear, calm, and cooler weather has taken place over the last 24 hours. This welcome break in the weather is expected to be short lived with another storm system moving into our area on Wednesday. We expect another round of significant snowfall for upper elevations with this storm.
Snowpack
Snowpack observations currently revolve around a 2-foot thick storm slab that has grown incrementally over the last 10 days or so. Underneath the recent storm snow we are finding a well-consolidated snowpack in areas that have not been affected by warm temperatures. Many areas have shown good bonding to old snow surfaces, although some isolated locations may have a weak layer under our recent storm snow. Spotty avalanche activity on this weaker snow (Facets) has produced a few slabs about 2 feet deep that are large enough (D2) to bury a person.
On solar aspects, recent storm snow is becoming moist and producing heavy wet loose slides in specific areas.