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Observation: Eagle Point

Observation Date
3/24/2017
Observer Name
Toddeo
Region
Southwest » Tushers » Eagle Point
Location Name or Route
Tushers - Eagle Point Periphery
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
A cold morning became a very warm afernoon. Clouds started building from the west late in the day.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

Both kinds of snow today, Powder and Not Powder.

HST ranged from 10 to 14" at elevations ranging from 9-10,000' . About 8-10" in Merchant valley at 8,000', with a bit of a crust.

Snow started out cold and dry and all aspects that received any sun were damp by 1pm. Still possible to find dry snow in very shaded areas.

Most aspects will have a crust in the morning.

Some areas of dense wind-drifted snow in exposed areas.

The new snow appeared to be well bonded, all hand shears and quick ECTs did not produce a single shear.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
Rapid warming was my primary concern today. I heard about one skier trigged wet slide on a steep 40 degree rollover, about 40' wide and it did not run very far. Some areas of wind drifted snow, I only saw minor soft cracking, no shooting cracks.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

Todays primary concern, will not be as pronounced with tomorrow, cooler forecast.

May increase on Sunday with forecasted sunny weather and tomorrows' snow,

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments

This may be a bigger concern in the alpine than what I observed today below treeline. The alpine looked wind affected.

Comments

Hazard is new snow only, the base was frozen solid.

Generally a moderate hazrad.

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