Observation: NWAC Forecaster

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Weather Summary

Dynamic spring weather with heavier snow showers and gusty winds, then calm and some sun poking through at times between.

Snowpack Observations

New snow was fairly well bonded to the old crust (4/8). This crust was mostly supportable at upper elevations, but still punchy with moist grains beneath it at lower elevations.
We found some areas with wind drifts from overnight, but these had mostly become stubborn to trigger during the day. Areas of fresh or active loading were touchy, and I was able to trigger a few small wind slabs on test slopes below treeline. These slabs had seen a little bit of sun, which made them slightly more cohesive.
The storm snow contained some graupel, and at times of heavier snowfall we would get some isolated cracking and sluffing on these layers. It seemed possible to trigger loose slides, especially on slopes that picked up some warmth from the sun coming through the clouds.

Avalanche Problems