Observation: Abajos

Observation Date
3/7/2019
Observer Name
Kevin Dressel
Region
Abajos
Location Name or Route
North Creek, Jackson Ridge
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Mostly cloudy high in the mountains today but everywhere else it looked pretty clear. Moderate winds from the SW that were enough to move some snow around
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
4"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
Density inversion within just a few inches of the new snow with graupel mixed in on top of a crust on E and NE aspects and higher elevation N the new snow was on top of lighter snow that made for some weird skiing
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Red Flags Comments
In exposed areas the wind was creating sensitive shallow soft wind slabs
Comments
Wow! It's a different world up there from when I was here last year. About 5 more feet of snow! 8' total at just below 11000'. Overall the snowpack seems pretty solid, but I'm not sure how some of the big slopes that slid earlier have filled back in. There may be a thinner and weaker snowpack in some areas. I did also come across an old avalanche at about 8500' above the highway that doesn't get plowed during the winter on a steep N facing slope that failed on weak facets at the ground. There is about a foot of snow on top of it now and has since been rained on. This must have happened during the last big storm a couple of weeks ago
Graupel mixed in with the new snow
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate