Quick report
Due to the underperformance of this storm compared to what models predicted, observed danger was closer to moderate in terrain I traveled. While the gradient of danger mentioned in the forecast stated to expect the eastern end of this zone as less dangerous than the Soldiers to the west, based on limited observations I would infer that danger was likely a step off throughout the zone.
Did not experience any obvious signs of instability.Weather
- Air Temp
- <32
- Cloud Cover
- overcast
- Wind Loading
- moderate
- Rain Elevation
- 6100'
- Recent Snowfall
- 5-8
- Snow Avail For Transport
- moderate amounts
Skied were OBS and precipitation was S1 to S2 throughout much of my tour. At 15:20, a very short and intense burst of precipitation brought intense snowfall (S5) for less than 5min. Winds were moderate below 6500', and strong above 6500' out of the W. New snow was actively being transported by the wind, however 5-8cm of new snowfall from the storm (HST) was available to be transported. While all precip fell as snow throughout my tour, a new drizzle crust up to 6100' indicated that snow levels started out a bit higher earlier in the storm.
Snowpack
Leaving the truck at 14:00 there was a light, very thin drizzle crust from 5800' up to 6100'. HST at 6300' was 5-8cm and at 7900' 8-9cm. There was active wind loading going on throughout my tour, however with the minimal amount of new snow and warmer start to the tour, I did not find wind deposits thicker than 15-17cm. Surfaces above the 6100' were a mix of PP and DF, with HS 65-75cm. While I did observe new wind slabs developing, they were stubborn to trigger on loaded slopes — I was only able to intentionally kick off a small D1 when in a loaded area targeting the problem.
The 2/1 was present about halfway down into the snowpack (30-35cm) and appeared to be bonding well due on NW-N-NE aspects where I dug quick pits. On solars, it presented as a rain crust with facets beneath. Due to the underperformance of this storm compared to what models predicted, observed danger was closer to moderate in terrain I traveled. While the gradient of danger mentioned in the forecast stated to expect the eastern end of this zone as less dangerous than the Soldiers to the west, based on limited observations I would infer that danger was likely a step off throughout the zone.
Avalanche
Did not observe any avalanche activity.