Quick report
By the time I started my hike, air temperatures had cooled to near or below freezing. The ground was frozen in spots, creating formations of needle ice and an icy rain glaze over patches of snow. Extreme west to northwest winds were transporting moderate to large amounts of snow above around 12,500 feet, likely wind loading upper elevation features. However, lower elevations such as the south/southeast side of Casaval Ridge have also likely been loaded where continuous preexisting coverage exists. Some of the blowing snow appeared to be sublimating as it was blown high above the ground surface into a dry atmosphere. Extreme winds may also be contributing to irregular patterns of wind slabs.
No signs of instability, but moderate to large amounts of blowing snow were observed above around 12,500 feet.Weather
- Air Temp
- Not Observed
- Cloud Cover
- clear
- Wind Loading
- intense
- Rain Elevation
- 9,300 (estimated)
- Recent Snowfall
- 15-25
- Snow Avail For Transport
- moderate amounts
In the last 48 hours, the Old Ski Bowl has received about an inch of water, which fell predominatly as rain below ~ 9,300 feet. Above 10,000 feet, snow accumulations are estimated between 6 to 10 inches. Freezing levels dropped in the early hours of the morning as skies cleared. During the outing, temperatures hovered around to above freezing and winds were moderate to strong out of the west to northwest.
Snowpack
Below 8,000 feet, dry ground predominates the landscape. The warm temperatures combined with recent rain have done a number on the snowpack. Snow depths at the Old Ski Bowl weather station have declined abruptly in the last couple days, down to about 3.5 inches from 8 inches. In Avalanche Gulch, coverage becomes more conistent on west/northwest aspects above about 8,500 feet and on south/southeast aspects above about 9,200 feet. Exposed and partially buried rocks are abundant in the shallow snowpack.