Observation: NWAC Forecaster

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Weather Summary

It was a classicly unsettled spring storm day. Periods of gusty winds and moderate snow, along with brief periods of full sun. There were small new cornices, wind-drifted snow, and plenty of ongoing wind transport throughout the day.

Two very small storm slabs ran naturally overnight. SS-R1-D1-I
Both were on steep (40+°) slopes and had minimal propagation.

Snowpack Observations

At the trailhead, there was just around 5cm of new wet snow, and until around 3000ft, some bare patches of the road just held the minimal new snow totals. Above 3000ft, snow totals increased significantly, and I found 20cm of storm snow over a 3cm moist melt-freeze crust at 4000ft.

I climbed low-angle slopes to a ridge at 5000ft. New snow seemed to have a favorable bond to the old snow surface. Although there was evidence of small natural avalanches, hand sheers and test slopes in sheltered terrain produced no notable signs of instability. Winds were actively drifting snow along the ridge, and fresh wind slabs were widespread. On lee slopes below the ridge, wind slabs would crack with a solid jump but were not particularly sensitive.

In the afternoon snow was becoming heavier below 4000ft and, I did get a small wet loose avalanche to slide on a steep road cutbank.

Avalanche Problems

Problem	Location	Distribution	Sensitivity	Size	Comments
Wind Slab	N E S W	Isolated Specific Widespread	Unreactive Stubborn Reactive Touchy