Quick report
Observed good stability throughout the tour. No wind slabs or signs of previous wind impacts. Today occasional light west winds were transporting some of the low density surface snow, mainly on ridgetops. Observed more substantial wind transport further south on the higher peaks approaching 9000' (Ward, Camas). Check for wind loading on upper portions of NE /E aspects. Stability tests indicate the new snow hasn't completely bonded to the old snow surface, although the new snow is low density F/4F and hasn't consolidated into a slab. Observed some minor sluffing in steeper terrain (30-35 degrees).
Weather
- Air Temp
- 15-25F
- Cloud Cover
- scattered
- Wind Loading
- light
- Rain Elevation
- Not observed.
- Recent Snowfall
- 6-12" (15-30CM)
- Snow Avail For Transport
- none
Light snow and clouds early that cleared by noon leaving partly sunny skies. Temperatures stayed cool in the higher terrain <20F (-7C) but warmed to 25F (-4C) in the lower elevations by mid-day. Mostly calm winds with only an occasional light breeze from the west <5MPH.
Snowpack
New snow amounts this week: elevations between 4000'-5000' = 2" (5CM), 5000'-7000' = 6-8", (15-20CM), above 7000' = 8-12" (20-30CM). The snowpack below 6500' is supportable but primarily consists of frozen, faceted snow due to thin coverage, rocks and shaded, cold terrain. At 7600' on a NE aspect (60 Degrees), the total snow depth was 155cm. Stability tests indicate the 12" (30CM) of new snow (F-4F) from this week is still bonding with the old snow surface (1F). CT 16, CT21 @ 30CM SP, ECTN 21 @ 30. No signs of buried surface hoar in the pit.