Quick report
- Red Flags
- Wind Loading, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Stiff wind slabs formed in exposed terrain. Snow from the storm event of 16-17, is sitting on top of surface hoar formed after the storm event of Nov 10-11. Compression test results produced easy sheer of CT3 Q2 but with no propagation on this layer. Will likely become problematic with the addition of more snow /cohesive slab. A faceted layer also exists between the late Oct and early Nov storms. Basal facets are present in the bottom 4" of the snowpack. </p>
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Due to the presence of weak layers in the snowpack, persistent slab is the primary concern. Future snow events will likely have an effect on the buried surface hoar layer. It may also still be possible to trigger a slab on the deeper faceted layers in the snowpack, though the situation seems to have relaxed for the time being. </p> <p>Stiff wind slabs exist in exposed areas on slopes with a NW-N- E aspect primarily above treeline. They have had several days to gain strength, but it still may be possible to trigger one in steep, heavily featured terrain. </p>
6-10" of snow fell on Tuesday. SW winds on Wed worked the snow over pretty good in exposed locations even below treeline. Dense powder conditions remain in sheltered areas. Snow surface getting damp today on sun exposed slopes.