Quick report
- Red Flags
- Wind Loading, Cracking
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Small shallow wind slabs were observed on loaded terrain features facing predomenently NE. Cracking in these small observed wind drifts was widespread. And despite not traveling to any upper elevation potentially loaded ridgelines, it was very likely that significant wind loading was occuring on similar aspects. No naturals observed. It appeared that the combination of the prestorm rough and textured snow surface and the residual warmth radiating from the snowpack allowed for good bonding at the new snow/old snow interface. </p>
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>See above. </p> <p>With the sun coming out in the afternoon, and the intense April sun, wet loose avalanches were probably likely; yet the tour ended by 1400, so no activity actually observed. </p> <p>Depending on how much wet loose activity occurs in the afternoon on the afternoon of the 30th, this problem may still be an issue on May 1. The thickness of the cloud cover on Monday afternoon will play a big part in how long this problem remains an issue. </p>
Low angle riding remained the best bet for soft turning conditions. Slopes with angles 25 degrees and greater were scratchy. Above 9500 feet the refreeze was substantial with m/f crust developing before the new snow came and they were up to 15 cm deep. At lower elevations the residual heat radiating from the snowpack made the old snow surface damp under the new snow at 8900 feet and down; and as a result the new snow was becoming damp by noon. By 1400, the cloud cover began to break apart and the snow ended. Storm totals ranged from 4 to 7 inches dependent on location. It appeared that LCC got a significant boost in precip compared to upper BCC. As a result at 8000 feet in Silverfork where we are right on the line to get the LCC booster effect HST was 6 inches and at least one inch of water. Settlement during the morning hours kept the depth of new snow from adding up, and this appeared to be a result of the warmth radiating up from the snowpack.
Fortunately the new snow at least laid a blanket down to help smooth things out temporarily and as well cover the dirty snow surface that has plagued us for a while now.