Professional Observation
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
March 8, 2020Submitted:
March 9, 2020Observer:
SAC - VandenBos (off duty)Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern MtnsLocation:
North Fork Big WoodSigns of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
YesCracking?
IsolatedCollapsing?
None ExperiencedSnow Stability
Stability Rating:
GoodConfidence in Rating:
ModerateStability Trend:
Bottom Line
A few inches of new snow improved skiing conditions and gave the wind some ammunition for isolated wind slabs in exposed upper elevation terrain.
Advanced Information
Weather Summary
Cloud Cover:
Mostly CloudyWind:
Light , WHST=6-7cm at upper elevations, trace at highway level. Day dawned mostly clear, then cloud cover increased to mostly cloudy to broken. Calm in the morning with wind speeds picking up in the afternoon hours, blowing out of the west at light to moderate speeds. Occasional periods of S-1 flurries with no accumulation.
Snowpack Observations
At lower elevations, snowpack surface was frozen 10-15cm deep with another 10-15cm of moist snow below. Ambient radiation and mild temperatures down low allowed for crust to gently break down by late afternoon. Above about 7,000', freeze was more substantial and snow below crust was dry. Encountered a number of isolated,15-20cm wind slabs on a variety of surfaces, which were unreactive. With the right combination of slab and bed surface I could see triggering a small, fresh wind slab, and I traveled accordingly. Periods of sun and clouds helped the new snow bake onto the old surface and solar aspects were skiing like fresh, cool to warm corn by mid day.
Avalanche Problems
| Problem | Location | Distribution | Sensitivity | Size | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wind Slab
|
|