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Professional Observation

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
April 9, 2020
Submitted:
April 9, 2020
Observer:
SAC - Lundy
Zone or Region:
Banner Summit
Location:
Glassing from highway, Stanley RS to Banner Summit closure gate

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
Yes
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced
Roadside obs, cracking and collapsing N/A

Snow Stability

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

Bottom Line

Wet avalanche activity seemed to be relatively run-of-the-mill loose snow surface sluffs—I didn't see anything particularly large or deep. Wet activity was most pronounced on mid to upper elevation slopes facing the sun. Upper elevation north aspects in the Sawtooths had a dry appearance, but in the Banner Summit zone high norths had rollerballs and a moist look to them.

I suspect that the wet loose surface instability has largely run its course. The big question is whether another night of above-freezing temps will cause any deeper wet slides tomorrow.

Media

Upper and mid elevation, due north terrain on Copper had rollerballs and a moist look to them.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Clear

Avalanche Observations

 #  Date Location Size Type Bed Sfc Depth Trigger Comments Photo
Many Past 48 hours North Sawtooths, NE-S-W aspects
primarily middle and upper 		D1.5 WL N-Natural Fairly normal wet loose activity. Most slides were D1-1.5. There were a couple that were probably pushing D2 because they were in larger terrain.
1 Past 24 hours The "X"
NE 9400 		D2 WL N-Natural This was one of the larger wet slides I saw from the Stanley RS, but the size was largely driven by the terrain.
Many Past 24 hours Banner Summit, all aspects except due north
mostly mid and upper 		D1 WL N-Natural Fairly normal wet loose activity. Didn't see any wet slides on upper elevation, due N aspects, but these had some rollerballs. The photo here shows the largest wet slide I saw, on a SE aspect at 8900.
1 Swamp Creek Peak
SE 8900 		D2 U U-Unknown Ben saw this on 4/2 from the earthquake cycle. Must have run on a deeper layer near the ground, and the bed surface has since melted out.
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