March 28
Area:
Silver, Days and Cardiff
Elevations, slope angles and aspects:
7500’-10400’, slope angles to 38° all aspects but south.
Avalanche activity:
New snow sluffing, mostly on slopes over 40°.
Density changes within the new snow promoted sluffing on the steeper slopes.
Green housing at various times contributed to this and would not be surprised to hear of sluffing at the old snow surface on aspects receiving the brunt of the green housing, combined with any sun.
Slopes skied:
East bowl of Silver, Oingo Boingo into Days Fork, Holy Toledo into Cardiff Fork and High Ivory, exiting Cardiff.
Snow surface and conditions:
6-10” new snow depending on aspect and elevations. Snow was of a light density and was, for the most part well bonded and behaved (see avalanche activity). Good settlement occurred with typical spring daytime heating. Snow at mid elevations and off aspects at upper elevations experienced enough heating to go off, turning to mashed potatoes by midday.
Weather:
Low clouds and fog was the common theme. Instability showers from time to time, most, producing little in the way of significant snow until late afternoon when one retaining more dynamics added an inch or two. Winds were light from the northwest. Moderate temperatures.
Evaluation:
Instabilities were within new snow layering. As is the case in spring, these should settle by morning. Future hazard would be related to continued snowfall creating more new snow instability and the threat of sun and warm temperatures, which would cause an expected wet cycle on sun exposed and warmed slopes, likely down to the old snow surface.
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