Quick report
- Red Flags
- Heavy Snowfall, Wind Loading, Cracking, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Snow pits from 3/3/18 indicated a thin layer of small grained facets above the dirt layer that yesterday was 35 cm down. Several other mid pack weak layers and moderate sized basal facets were also observed 20 cm up from the ground. These basal facets were showing signs of rounding, but they were still generally uncohesive. See above for wind loading Minimal cracking was observed in the shallow wind slabs. Heavy PI rates were sustained from 1200 midnight throuhg at least 1600, and there appeared to be a reactive density break in the new snow 18 cm down, and widespread sensitive long running loose snow avalanches were observed. </p>
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>See above for details on loose dry. </p> <p>Minimal soft slab avalanches were reported and or observed. </p> <p>See above for details; and with the forecast for the winds to ramp up overnight, this potential and severity of this problem should increase over the next 24 hours. </p> <p>Continued reports from the outlying areas appear to indicate a strong likelihood for persistent slab potential with slides now ranging over the 1 meter threshold. </p> <p>Considerable in the alpine where wind loading was strongest appeared to be the appropriate high end danger rating for today, yet the majority of the terrain was moderate with loose dry avalanches and manageable soft storm slabs the issue.</p>
Excellent low and moderate angled riding, fast and fun. The snow appeared to be right side up and out of the exposed upper alpine, the conditions were very consistent and silky. Soft shallow wind slabs (4 finger) were observed from 9300 feet and above. It appeared that there most likely were areas of dense hard slab being developed in the most exposed upper alpine terrain, and especially on E, SE and S aspects.