Observation: North Fork Park

Weather

Sky

Clear

Wind Direction

Southwest

Wind Speed

Moderate

Weather Comments

Southwest winds picked up along the high ridgelines by mid-morning. No plumes noted, just minor wind transported snow. See video below.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth

1"

New Snow Density

Medium

Snow Surface Conditions

Faceted Loose

Wind Crust

Rain-Rime Crust

Snow Characteristics Comments

<7000' Supportable rain crust topped with a cm of faceted snow and surface hoar. Runnels present. 1st photo, 2nd video

7000'-8000' Breakable rain/rime crust with hard wind board in exposed terrain.

>8000' Variable conditions - rime, wind crusts, hard wind slabs and occasional patches of soft settled powder. 1st video

Red Flags

Red Flags

Poor Snowpack Structure

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Persistent Weak Layer

Trend

Same

Problem #1 Comments

Trending low probability high consequence and soon 'dormancy' of the old October snow at the bottom of the pack.

Mid - transition - upper elevation snow depths are 120-150cm+

Pencil/Pencil+ slab is 100-120cm thick overlying 20cm thick October PWL. These 4F- 3mm squares and depth hoar are showing some signs of rounding.

ECTX. Difficult to find terrain to dig that wasn't significant wind affected.

Bottom Line: may still be possible to trigger avalanches into this layering in thin, steep, rocky terrain and probably needing a sigificant trigger.

Avalanche Problem #2

Problem

Wind Drifted Snow

Trend

Decreasing Danger

Problem #2 Comments

Increasingly stubborn hard slabs exist in the upper elevations.