Quick report
- Red Flags
- Heavy Snowfall, Wind Loading, Cracking
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Wind scoured terrain and wind loading noted at ridge lines and isolated areas. Wind blowing 10 to 15 MPH from SSW. Test slopes on wind loaded areas showed cracking. No recent natural or human-triggered avalanches were noted on any aspect or elevation (8,700 to 10,000 ft.) during my observation. </p>
Wind
Wind loaded test slope
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>I'd expect to see wind slabs a problem in isolated areas at upper elevations on the ridgelines, below cornices and in cross-loaded areas or gullies, especially on E / NE facing aspects. </p> <p>12 in of new snow sits on a hard layer of graupel/ dusty crust. I'd expect storm slabs being a problem in isolated areas with steep terrain that was protected from the wind on all aspects. </p>
Measured 32 cm/ 12 in of new snow on dust crust layer @ NE aspect/ 9,450 ft. Although snow was not bonding well to crust layer, snow was light and fluffy and was not taking on slab like characteristics.