Quick report
- Red Flags
- Heavy Snowfall, Wind Loading, Cracking, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Getting some cracking in fresh wind drifts along ridges. Poor snowpack structure refers to old snow surface which was a combination of very weak stellars with some near-surface facets. </p>
Was especially interested today in seeing how reactive the old snow surface was to the new snow and fresh wind drifts. Overall there wasn't enough of a storm slab on top of the old snow surface to get it reactive, but the bond was poor to the old snow surface which consisted of loose, weak stellars. Video below describes this interface, and how it may become reactive with additional snow and wind.
Hazard today was Moderate on wind-loaded slopes where we were traveling. Likely Considerable by Thursday morning with additional snow and wind.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Not enough new snow to create a storm slab, but widespread wind drifts on north and east leeward aspects primarily along ridgelines were sensitive.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Video below shows snowfall as well as one of the stronger gusts along the BCC/MCC ridgeline between Wilson and Soldier.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Although there was only 10 cms/4" new snow, additional snowfall overnight will create sensitive storm slabs during the day on Thursday.</p>
About 10 cm (4") new in mid-BCC. Wind drifts along the ridges were mostly 10-15 cms (4-6"), although some drifts were up to 40 cms (16"). These were generally on leeward north and east aspects from the southerly/westerly winds.