Quick report
- Red Flags
- Recent Avalanches, Rapid Warming
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>The new snow bonded directly to the old (mostly crusted) snow interfaces, but the light density snow just above this bonding was very reactive on all steep slopes. Widespread Natural Loose Dry Avalanches were observed (see photo). The entraining snow was piling up to at least 45 cm in many locations. This Natural activity appeared to be triggered during the previously cited last pulse of precipitation intensity. When riding on slopes with angles greater than 35 degrees it was easy to initiate manageable stuffing in the new snow. The only place where this stuffing could have been an issue would have been in high consequence/confined terrain. </p> <p>Of note, despite departing before this concern may have been an issue, it was Likely that Wet Loose Avalanche Problems became active on sun exposed steep slopes during the mid afternoon hours when the sun was out in full force. These Avalanches Most Likely had more punch than their Dry counterparts. </p>
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>See above, and on the shady steeper slopes this Problem may become reactive Naturally again with additional any loading on Thursday. The old snow interface was crusty and firm on many aspects, and serves as a good bed surface. </p> <p>See above. </p> <p> </p> <p>Danger continued to appear to be Low with the only issues being totally manageable. </p> <p> </p> <p>If the new snow on Thursday comes in on the high side of the forecast the Danger Most Likely will escalate to Moderate for Storm Slab and Loose Dry Avalanche Problem concerns. </p>
Good winter like/shallow powder riding on Low to Moderate Angled slopes that did not have old buried tracks underneath. Scratchy undulated riding was found on much of the steeper more commonly ridden slopes. The unseasonably cold morning temperatures helped the new snow remain cold and dry until departing at 1330. The hope was for the cloud deck to remain solid throughout the day, but as described above, the March sun came out in force for multiple hours. It will be likely that East aspects survived, but S, W and WNW became damp and will be crusted on Thursday.