Quick report
- Red Flags
- Rapid Warming, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Poor Snowpack Structure with Basal Facets and Surface Faceting continue to be a part of our snowpack recipe, yet they appear to be dormant and unreactive. As reported yesterday, the shady aspects have small grain facets at the old snow/new snow interface from last weekends storm. Waiting period to see when and if we get a significant quick load and how that might play out. </p> <p>Of note, thin snowpack locations on some of the highest ridge line areas housing 10 to 20 cm of advanced facets on the surface. As well in the Upper Elevations, knife hard hollow Wind Slabs of varying thickness (from 10 to 15 cm thick) were observed on NW aspects, and these had advanced facets under these Isolated Slabs. These appeared to be stubborn, but not tested thoroughly. </p>
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Much of the potential Wet Loose has already played out any significant problems, yet rapid warming in place. Still more Wet Loose to go on the off aspects, and the spring transition of the snow pack is occurring for the first real time this season. Drainage channels very visible on the lower half of the compass as the m/f crust develops and the snowpack shrinks.</p> <p>PWL's: Mid pack and Basal Facets not reactive and appear dormant, yet they are still out there (and especially in the thin snowpack areas); and waiting for the next big storm to see if they are really not an concern. It's very helpful we are getting solid overnight refreezes.</p> <p> </p> <p>Very little going on right now with regard to avalanches besides those driven by the warming. Danger for the most part appears to be Low in the am with daytime heating bumping it to Moderate. </p>
Settled left over powder much more dense above 9000 feet than experienced in the mid canyon area yesterday. NSF's and SH not as pronounced, yet still developing. M/F Crusts on ESE through S through WSW almost fully supportable. Ok to traverse on, but challenging and tenuous for downhill turning still. After today's round of solar and elevated temperatures the crust will transition further, but tomorrows forecast doesn't appear to be helping to mature the crusts, transitional time. Shmoo riding appears to be happening if you time things right on the solars.
Slide for Life conditions require caution.