Observation: NWAC Forecaster

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Weather Summary

The day consisted of high clouds with decent visibility. The afternoon provided some sun breaks and temperatures climbing to the mid 30's. West winds picked up during the afternoon and started drifting any available snow back onto lee aspects.

Snowpack Observations

We went searching for wind slabs on west aspects. Generally, we found these slabs to be pencil-hard and stubborn in sensitivity. We did observe some isolated cracking in these areas. East aspects are in rough shape. Cornices are eroded from last weeks strong/extreme east winds and these slopes below were firm. On these slopes the slide-for-life risk is likely the greater hazard.

Below/near treeline, we observed approximately 4 inches from Sunday sitting on the 1/27 melt freeze crust. In these more sheltered areas we found more desirable travel and ski conditions (however, still not great).

Towards the end of the day West winds ramped up and started blowing any available snow back onto east aspects.