Observation: Chokecherry Ridge

Weather

Sky

Overcast

Precipitation

Light Snowfall

Wind Direction

West

Wind Speed

Light

Weather Comments

Few moderate speed gusts at 9500 feet. Expect it was blowing fairly decently along the Skyline.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth

5"

New Snow Density

Low

Snow Surface Conditions

Powder

Snow Characteristics Comments

Very nice new snow. If these conditions stay like this, it will lure people into dangerous terrain I suspect. Very good riding conditions.

Red Flags

Red Flags

Collapsing

Poor Snowpack Structure

Red Flags Comments

Experienced THE LARGEST collapse I've felt all season while working on a test slope. It 'whoomped' and I could hear the collapse travel away from me for about 2 seconds. Scary.

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

New Snow

Problem #1 Comments

With the snow from around the first and the new snow that fell over the last couple of days, we now have a significant slab over the old sugary weak snow. Collapsing and snow stability tests all point to an unstable snowpack.

Snow Profile

Aspect

North

Elevation

9,700'

Slope Angle

30°