Observation: Tony Grove

Observation Date
3/1/2024
Observer Name
Champion, Andrews
Region
Logan » Tony Grove
Location Name or Route
Tony Grove
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
A warm day awaited the approaching storm at the Tony Grove trailhead. Approximately an inch of new snow covered the area, but the skies remained predominantly overcast and broken throughout the day. Winds were elevated, with strong gusts along ridgelines. Temperatures began to drop around noon, and light graupel started around 2 PM.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
1"
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Variety of snow surfaces in the backcountry. About an inch of new snow at the Tony Grove parking lot this morning, and the road had a few more inches blown in. The solars had a 2-3mm melt freeze crust, while the ridglines had obvious wind texture. The north facing terrain still held cold snow in protected terrain.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
The high winds were moving a bit snow along ridgelines. While there wasn’t a ton of soft snow available for transport, there was snow moving.
Comments
The primary goal of the day was to see how the storm rolled into the range, and how into the range, and how well it bonded to the old snow surface. Overall, the storm arrived a bit later than expected. The temperatures, and snow surface was generally warm this morning. For that reason I would guess that the new snow bonds well to the old snow surface in most areas. Solars have a bit of a melt freeze crust, which could cause the new snow to run fast and far during periods of high PI. On the other aspects, the instability will spike during the storm its self but I think the interface will settle out generally quick.
Along ridgelines the cornices are large, and growing. They will only continue to grow and drop during this upcoming storm. I would continue to give them a wide berth.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates