Quick report
- Cracking
- widespread
- Collapsing
- widespread
The storm in progress is producing top-heavy reactive storm slabs that may cause natural and human-triggered avalanches to 2 feet deep. Collapsing and cracking have been widespread in observed areas but have not been traveling long distances. Observations are showing the potential for natural and human-triggered avalanches on slopes above 35 degrees for the time being.
60 cm of top-heavy snow was observed to have a sensitive instability down 55cm in all areas above 400 feet. The weak layer was within the buried storm snow from earlier this week. Widespread Cracking and collapsing were observed on this layer throughout the tour. Collapsing and propagation was mostly localized to a 2-meter radius around skis. Steep unsupported slopes easily released on this layer. Several D1.5 avalanches released naturally on this same layer. 2 larger collapses on an undetermined deeper layer were experienced above at 900 feet.Weather
- Air Temp
- 0F
- Cloud Cover
- overcast
- Wind Loading
- none
- Recent Snowfall
- 50
- Snow Avail For Transport
- large amounts
Steady temperatures at 0 Deg C and Heavy snowfall rates were observed on the drive from Valdez and at the Parking lot. Similar conditions with a few breaks in the storm were observed on the route up to 1000 feet. The lowest temperature observed was -0.6 deg C at 1000t. Winds were mostly calm with intermittent periods of S/SE breeze.
Snowpack
60cm top heavy storm slab on top of the 1/29 rain crust was observed. A PST test resulted in PST 15/100 end within the buried storm snow from earlier this week (55cm down on top of the crust) confirming the sensitive instability in this layer noted while traveling. This layer is likely to be widespread in areas where it hasn't been redistributed by wind. There is some uncertainty with its extent since this is a new problem with limited time for observation. A healthy curiosity about this layer is recommended when traveling in avalanche terrain over the next couple of days.
Avalanche
Several small D1.5 storm slabs released on a layer within old storm snow at 55cm deep.