Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

We traveled mainly on north and west aspects from 2800 ft to 5400 ft. We noted significant warming throughout the day with many roller balls even at 5000 ft on more shaded aspects. By the end of the day most snow surfaces were moist and quite sticky at lower elevations.

The height of new snow ranged from 15-25 cm on top of the most recent crust. This 15-25 cm of new snow was not that slab-like yet, unless you skied over a wind drifted pocket, in which the slab was much thicker . In a test profile we noticed some rounding facets above this crust with some weaker, sugary like snow below it as well. We thought the likelihood of triggering an avalanche that could fail on this crust would be possible at the near or above tree-line elevations if we triggered a wind slab.

Weather wise we noted moderate east winds earlier in the day. Winds calmed down during the later afternoon hours as temperatures spiked. Visibility was low.