Professional Observation
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
March 6, 2020Submitted:
March 7, 2020Observer:
SAC - VandenBos (off duty), PetersonZone or Region:
Sawtooth and Western Smoky MtnsLocation:
Southern SawtoothsSigns of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
YesCracking?
None ExperiencedCollapsing?
None Experienced
Recent avalanche activity limited to wet loose. Described below.
Bottom Line
Weak freeze overnight and direct solar radiation allowed southerly slopes to heat up quickly. Small (D1-1.5) wet loose slides occurring naturally by 1030. At lower and middle elevations, the snowpack was wetted through several crusts in the upper snowpack and all the way down to the ground where HS <60cm. Upper elevation slopes with wind were staying frozen, but more sheltered slopes were melting at the surface.