April 1
Silver-Days-Cardiff-Mineral
Elevations, slope angles and aspects
7100-10400', angles over 35°, all aspects
Snow conditions
6-12" new snow.
The snow initiating the storm was quite dense, continuing to build in that fashion, un till wind decreased, with a light density cap of a coupla inches.
Snow was well behaved. Shallow fractures were observed
on northeast facing aspects
but, they were only an inch or two deep, involving the most recent layering.
Cornices continued building
with the last several wind events, easily visible. Ski cuts initiated only surface sluffing, even in wind drifted areas. Some cracking was observed, lacking intentions of propagation.
Short periods of spring sun had an almost immediate impact, especially below about 9000', manking the already dense snow. Crusting is likely in those exposed locations.
Weather
Overcast in the morning, with snow flurries. Partial clearing by afternoon. Winds from the wnw, gusting to around 20 mph. Moderate temperatures.
Evaluation
Mostly stable snow was found at all elevations, on all aspects. Some lingering instability would be expected in wind drifted areas, even at mid elevations.
Contined wind would expand terrain with that potential
Wet activity would increase with warming, particularly at mid and lower elevations, where the snow is already very warm and dense.
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