Storm totals at Gold Basin Study Plot (10,000').

Snotel site near Geyser Pass Trailhead (9600').

NWS weather forecast

Snowpack: The mountains picked up 3"-6" of new snow on Sunday, April 19 and locals took advantage. Winds were calm and the avalanche danger did not significantly increase although numerous, small, shallow, loose wet slides occurred within the new snow when the sun came out. Overall, the snowpack has consolidated and is gaining strength as it transitions toward a spring-time snowpack. Only isolated areas of weak, faceted snow remain in shallow, rocky areas, primarily on northerly aspects. The new snow will put a hold on corn snow conditions for a few days, and the powder will be short-lived. Generally speaking, the snowpack is in a spring-time transitional phase and conditions will become more variable over the next several days.

Corn Snow: Corn is a springtime delicacy that develops after the snowpack goes through several rounds of melting and re-freezing. It can be fickle and overnight re-freezes are key. Corn develops first on southerly aspects in wind-sheltered, mid to lower elevation terrain where the snow gets really cooked. Low angle northerly facing slopes can also make the transition early due to the high angle of the sun. The bigger, steeper, north-facing terrain generally doesn't make the transition to corn snow until sometime in May, or about the time the entire snowpack goes isothermal. Isothermal refers to a snowpack that is wet throughout its depth with all layers being the same temperature. The snowpack eventually becomes one homogenous mass under these conditions.

Getting on and off the snow early is key. Work with the sun by skiing slopes with a more easterly component first, and finishing up in westerly facing slopes by early afternoon. If the snow is becoming wet and sloppy and you are punching through above your boot tops, or are leaving deep ruts in the snow, you are too late.