Observation: Skyline 3/18/2010

Observer Name:

Grant Helgeson

Observation Date:

03/18/2010

Region:

Skyline

Weather

Sky:

Broken

Precipitation:

Light Snowfall

Wind Direction:

Northwest

Wind Speed:

Light

Weather Comments:

Edge of the front slowly creeped in all day, until it started groupaling late in the afternoon.

Snow Characteristics

Snow Surface Conditions:

Melt-Freeze Crust

Damp

Snow Characteristic Comments:

South/West facing slopes are almost into a full on corn cycle. The snowpack has formed drainage channels and sports a nice crust in the morning with a good overnight freeze on the more solar oriented aspects.

Even high elevation North facing slopes felt damp yesterday afternoon. It's official, powder riding isn't happening on the Skyline unless/until we get another storm.

Red Flags

Recent Avalanches

Red Flag Comments:

Wet avalanches are running full depth at lower elevations.

Primary Concern

Primary Concern:

Wet Avalanches

Probability:

Moderate

Aspect:

East

Southeast

South

Southwest

West

Elevation:

Mid

Low

Trend:

Less Dangerous

Primary Concern Comments:

I observed plenty of pinwheels and rollerballs today, in addition to the full depth avalanche that hit the road in Hunnington canyon.

snow_profile_location:

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 1)

North facing compression test at 10,000' in Seeley Canyon. Not too much happening, aside from a little action at the old snow/new snow interface.

Video 1:

Observed Danger Rating:

Moderate

Forecast Danger Rating:

Low