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Observation: White Pine Gulch

Observation Date
4/18/2018
Observer Name
Luke
Location Name or Route
White Pine
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Much more wind than I expected, mostly in waves of about 20 mph with stronger gusts then calm for periods. Even with the spring sun heating the snow up by the afternoon it was moving most anything available around.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
10"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Faceted Loose
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Excellent riding conditions for the most part, lower than 8000' started to warm up in the sun after 1 pm. Quite a bit of wind scouring up higher down to the last crust layer in certain spots.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Much more wind than I expected today as commented above. Warming wasn't really that noticeable until mid afternoon at lower elevations and the wind and cool temps kept it at bay at higher elevations...but the wind was quite strong. Noticeable dust streaks all around but on top of the snow instead of underneath. Could present a future problem along with isolated wind loading. Probably won't be much issue going forward but if you're in steep rocky terrain both are things to look out for.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Dense snow means less to move around but the wind from 10,000' upward was strong at periods.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Little to no cohesion of the newer snow but roughly 10" being heated by the April sun should slab up fairly quick and it wasn't adhereing to the last heat layer as well as I hoped for. In strong summer sun this could be an issue for the next week or so depending on temperatures.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate