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Observation: Abajo Mountains

Observation Date
2/14/2014
Observer Name
Trenbeath
Region
Abajos » Abajo Mountains
Location Name or Route
North Creek Canyon, Abajo Mounains
Weather
Sky
Broken
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Very warm.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

Very damp, heavy snow on surface. Mixed bag conditions up high. Extremely low snow conditions, 18"-36" total snow pack, with some sun and wind exposed areas showing bare ground.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Had it all going on out there. Large avalanche off Horse's Head. Weak, shallow snow. Heavy, wet snow on top of facets. Cracking and collpasing, roller balls, and wet sluffing.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

Didn't get a re-freeze overnight. Lots of collapsing of heavy wet snow on buried facets. Roller balls.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments

Weak, faceted, underlying snow pack. New snow load on top. Slope failure in gullies and large avalanches from last weeks storm cycle.

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