Observation: Steam Mill #3

Observation Date
3/17/2016
Observer Name
Pagnucco, Ward, K.Davis, Weed
Region
Logan » Franklin Basin » Hells Kitchen » Steam Mill #3
Location Name or Route
Hell's Kitchen, Steam Mill #3 and #2
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
The day started with snow showers and moderate westerly winds and slowly tapered to clearing skies and calm by 5pm.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2'
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

The new snow over the past few days has ranged from heavy to light to medium. Meaning yesterday the pack was right side up (16-18") and today it was capped with about 6" of new but slightly denser snow. Graupel fell during each phase of this extended storm and is unevenly dispersed both in depth and range.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Red Flags Comments
Lots of wind and snow over the course of the storm created large cornices.
Comments

We triggered one small wind slab in the morning that did not travel very far. A snowmobile party reported triggering a wind slab - the slab released above the third rider across and pushed him into some trees. No other details were available.

The snow appeared to stabilize throughout the day as we saw less and less cracking and were not able to trigger subsequent slabs as we approached steeper terrain.

Luckily, the sun stayed hidden until the end of the day which kept the snow cold and wet activity at bay.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate