Quick report
- Red Flags
- Heavy Snowfall, Wind Loading, Cracking, Poor Snowpack Structure
I got out today just as it started snowing. Wind was moderate out of the south east. Despite the Windy Peak AWOS showing persistent SW wind overnight and throughout the day, over the last 24 hours I observed significant snow transport from SE to NW. There was plenty of cracking in the new snow and fresh wind slabs are now 2-3 feet thick. I was able to easily kick several fresh cornices that formed during our north flow 2 nights onto SE facing terrain. It snowed moderate to heavy all day at altitude with maybe 4 inches of new snow. It was difficult to tell up high with all the wind and new snow blowing around. When I was coming back to my sled, I noticed over 2 feet of snow had formed in the 3 1/2 hours I was gone from the persistent SE wind...a sure sign of significant wind loading.