Quick report
- Red Flags
- Heavy Snowfall, Wind Loading, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Poor snowpack structure continues to lead the list of important considerations with regard to potential red flags, and eventhough the Brighton and Alta perimeter has the strongest snowpack in the Central Core, areas of isolated thin snowpack and rocky areas remain suspect. Wind loading appeared to be the major player of concern today and it was likely that large sensitive slabs were created on mid slope rollovers and terrain features. The wind slabs observed in the terrain traveled at the low end of the upper elevation terrain were stubborn and unreactive. Heavy snowfall is in place with S2 plus rates at 2000 hours. </p>
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>This problem did not appear to be an issue on Sunday, but with the additional loading from snow and wind as forecast for Sunday night and into Monday it is likely that this will generate another significant avalanche cycle Monday and into Tuesday. </p> <p>See above. </p> <p>The danger on Sunday strictly in the area traveled appeared to be moderate, yet there may have been a considerable danger in the upper elevation wind loaded terrain. </p> <p>The danger rating for Monday appears to be at least considerable and possibly high if the forecast for snow and wind verifies at the highest levels. </p>
Extremely variable conditions in the mid and upper elevations due to the wind damage and melt freeze crusts. SE, S and SW aspects had m/f crusts of up to .5 cm. Wind slabs and or crusts were observed on multiple aspects and terrain features. Hard slabs of up to 6 inches thick, and soft slabs of up to 8 inches thick were observed even in the moderately protected mid elevations. Dense settled powder was available in the most protected treed areas. Of note, regardless of the warm overnight and early morning temperatures, cold dry snow was found on all aspects that weren't housing m/f crusts.