Observation: Public

Observation Details

Signs of Unstable Snow

Observations

I went up the Deer Creek Rd towards Kelcema Lake and veered off before the lake to follow the southwest ridge towards Helena Peak. I took the ridgeline up to about 4500ft where I began encountering meadows, and then returned a similar way. The day was calm, and skies started out clear but 10am onwards skies were overcast with intermittent S-1 snowfall. The top foot of snow was low density and right side up. Made for good skiing. Beneath that I could see signs of the snow having been wind affected with firmer, old drifts under the new snow.

I dug a pit at 4500ft on a south aspect, where the HS was 420cm. The 1/13 interface and possible weak snow above it was obvious, yet the layers were strengthening and aside from shears I did not get any results there. I was unable to find buried surface hoar on the interface like I've seen in other areas. The results were heartening, but I still chose to stay off >35 degree meadows because of the uncertainty with the weak layer currently.