Quick report
- Red Flags
- Heavy Snowfall, Wind Loading, Cracking
Today was all about wind and heavy snowfall. Windespread pockets of fresh wind drifts on all aspects at the mid and upper elevations, although favoring leeward, easterly slopes. The wind drifts were sensitive, and I also noticed lots of small, natural cornice falls atop Shortswing. I was not in avalanche terrain today, but I imagine many steep slopes saw natural avalanche activity during periods of heavy snowfall. This was a good shot of water weight and wind-loading, and it will be a good test for the PWL which appears to have gone dormant.
For Wednesday, unless the winds persist, I would expect the recent wind drifts and storm snow to be less reactive.
Photos of wind sculpting and widespread small, natural cornice falls atop Shortswing.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Fresh wind drifts were sensitive and would easily crack out from my skis. With winds forecast to decrease overnight and into Wednesday, I expect any recent wind drifts to stabilize.</p> <p>Intense periods of snowfall with a density inversion within the storm slab, however this should also stabilize fairly quickly and may not even be reactive by Wednesday.</p>
30-40 cms new snow (12-16") with fresh wind drifts up to 60 cms (2') thick.