Quick report
- Aspect
- Northwest
- Red Flags
- Heavy Snowfall, Wind Loading, Cracking, Collapsing, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Elevation
- 2804 m
- Slope Angle
- 25°
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>The amount of new snow/water weight and unrelenting south winds are the biggest red flags. </p>
Not much more to say. Lots of wind and lots of snow will put a lot of stress on the snowpack. More snow on the way through tomorrow will add to the mix but at least this storm will be less windy and colder. Patience is your best friend right now. Play the slope angle game and stay out of the wind zone. Low angle terrain out of the wind zone offers great riding right now even with the amount of new snow we've received. If you're traveling in steep terrain you should expect a considerable danger of avalanches. If you're traveling in the wind zone on the north half of the compass the danger is high and you should expect avalanches.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>The faceted snow the new storm snow fell on is not bonding very well and is producing clean shears with medium effort to fail. With almost two feet of snow and over 2" of water, a slide in the new snow would be no joy ride. Although more stubborn in field tests, the deeper persistent weaknesses are also failing with clean shears. The early January dry spell as well as the December dry spell interfaces are still showing weak bonding. A slide failing or stepping down to these layers would be catastrophic. </p> <p>Steady strong winds from the south since Sunday have been moving massive amounts of the new storm snow. Wind speeds in the 20's, 30's, 40's and 50's with gusts in the 80's at times are a real game changer. Winds look to calm down a bit and shift to the NW. </p>
2"-4" of new snow overnight. Excellent skiing and riding conditions in mid elevation sheltered terrain. Yesterday's snow has settled a bit and wasn't as punchy as yesterday. Winds have been finding their way in terrain at all elevations and aspects.