Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
February 28, 2022
Submitted:
March 1, 2022
Observer:
SAC - VandenBos
Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns
Location:
Boundary Creek (6,500-7,500, S-SW-W-NW-N)

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
None Observed
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced
Stability ratings don't do a great job of describing wet snow problems.

Snow Stability

Stability Rating: 
Good
Confidence in Rating: 
Low
Stability Trend: 
Worsening

Bottom Line

My primary concern in the terrain I traveled in were wet snow issues. These did not become a significant problem today, but may in the coming days with additional warming and precipitation.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Overcast
Wind:
Light , W
New/Recent Snowfall:
no

Afternoon tour to look at wet issues. Skies overcast to obscured. Winds light out of the W. Occasional S-1 graupel flurries, switching over to rain around 1700. I observed light rain with occasional periods of more intense rain between 1700 and 2000 in the general Stanley area.

Avalanche Observations

No recent avalanches observed.

Snowpack Observations

My primary objective was to look at wet snow issues at lower elevations in this area. The sun+ambient temp crust that formed on 2/9 and was first buried on 2/14 was intact where I traveled and likely preventing wet snow issues on direct solars (S-W). In flat terrain and on shaded aspects this crust is much weaker. In places it was ski supportable but in many others I was punching through to moist snow underneath. With warming temperatures and some fresh snow around to melt (and the potential for additional rain) I expect we may be dealing with some weird wet snow issues in the coming days.

Avalanche Problems

Problem Location Distribution Sensitivity Size Comments
Wet Loose
Isolated
Specific
Widespread
 Unknown
D1
D1.5
D2
D2.5
D3
D3.5
D4
D4.5
D5
 Comments: Rose shaded based on where problem was expected to exist. The sun+ambient temp crust that formed on 2/9 and was first buried on 2/14 was intact where I traveled and likely preventing wet snow issues.

Terrain Use

Avoided steep terrain traps where snowpack was getting wet and where the 2/14 crust was not supportable.