Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
March 30, 2020
Submitted:
March 31, 2020
Observer:
SAC - VandenBos
Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns
Location:
Mushroom Ridge

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
None Observed
Cracking? 
Isolated
Collapsing? 
None Experienced
Isolated cracking in fresh wind drifts, which were up to 25-30cm thick by late in the day.

Snow Stability

Stability Rating: 
Fair
Confidence in Rating: 
Moderate
Stability Trend: 
Worsening

Bottom Line

Storm hadn't really picked up steam yet, but its going to be a different world out there tomorrow than it was today. Feels more like we are dealing with a mid-winter snowpack than a spring one.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Obscured
Temperature:
above freezing at highway, upper 20s up high (estimated)
Wind:
Moderate , W

Afternoon/evening tour. Periods of snowfall, falling up to S2. All precipitation was falling as snow, though it was very wet at highway elevation. Driving north from WRV it appeared rain line had made it up to about 6,500-6,700', based on appearance of trees, but low confidence in that. Light to moderate gusty winds blowing out of the SW-W

Snowpack Observations

Storm total as of 1800 (combined between today and yesterday) was 15cm at upper elevation. Felt like about half from today and half from yesterday. Light to moderate winds had done some drifting near exposed terrain features but wind affect didn't stretch very far down, yet. Density inversion between today's snow and yesterday's produced some moderately clean shears and localized cracking where wind drifts existed. Stiff crusts under new snow on solars could help produce some natural activity, particularly if loaded quite rapidly or in areas with wind drifting.