Observation: Cutler Ridge

Weather

Sky

Broken

Wind Speed

Strong

Weather Comments

Conditions were overcast and calm in the morning, then trended to patrial cloud cover and strong winds at ridge tops after noon. Snow on surface remained cold all day.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth

8"

New Snow Density

Low

Snow Surface Conditions

Powder

Snow Characteristics Comments

Mixture of stellars and groupel in upper 6"-10" on top of supportable decomposing grains.

Red Flags

Red Flags

Wind Loading

Cracking

Red Flags Comments

New snow was fluffy and unconsolidated in the morning, however with increasing wind throughout the day we noted cracking and slab formation on lee aspects.

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Persistent Weak Layer

Trend

Same

Problem #1 Comments

Basal layers of snowpack have poor structure.

Avalanche Problem #2

Problem

Wind Drifted Snow

Trend

Increasing Danger

Problem #2 Comments

Strong NW winds rapidly transporting new snow.

Snow Profile

Aspect

North

Elevation

8,200'

Slope Angle

24°