Observation: NWAC Forecaster

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Weather Summary

Calm and clearing through the day with greater cloud cover to the south, winds calm to light from N, signs of previous, moderate wind transport from N winds last weekend. Sun was reaching into and softening lower angle north-facing terrain NTL.

Avalanche Observations

Map of listed avalanches: Avalanche Observation Comments:

Though Ruby and the surrounding area also went through a natural cycle with the 2/26-3/3 precip, there was noticeably less activity in regards to both natural slab and loose wet avalanches than farther west in the zone. Crowns (from up to D3) looked to be shallower and more filled in, debris is very well covered. All old slab avalanches were on the north half of the compass. Loose wet to D2 initiating in rocky N'ly aspects NTL into BTL. A few very large wet avalanches across the valley to the north in Sourdough environs.

Snowpack Observations

+300cm NTL/ATL - F new snow over firm crust up to 5.5k, softer or no crust higher. Stubborn wind slabs to 30cm cross-loaded N'ly aspects and presumably solar terrain from N'ly winds last weekend. Upper spx generally 4F>P down to 2/14 crust ↓100cm (not a crust, just a stiffer layer @ 7k). 2/26 interface barely discernable layer of PP ↓50cm? Late January crust-facet ↓130cm - 5cm +4F layer between 1/20 + 1/30 crusts of the same weird faceted MF grains found in many other areas.

Avalanche Problems