Professional Observation
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
April 3, 2022Submitted:
April 4, 2022Observer:
WCMAC - Ryan SorensonZone or Region:
Central BitterrootsLocation:
Sky PilotSigns of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
YesCracking?
IsolatedCollapsing?
None ExperiencedSnow Stability
Stability Rating:
GoodConfidence in Rating:
HighStability Trend:
WorseningBottom Line
I toured out to Sky Pilot on my day off. We saw recent small natural wind slabs on east aspects, a few wet loose, and a large glide avalanche. The snow got deeper as we traveled closer to the crest. Four inches (10 cm) was the deepest we found, with small drifts up to a foot (30 cm). Previous winds have textured the surface snow. A few patches are scored down to the firm melt-freeze crust from the warm week we had from March 22nd to the 29th. You could push small loose wet slides running on the crust on direct south aspects. Rollerballs and small point releases were forming on solar aspects. Direct north aspects had dry snow capable of sluffing. The new snow is slow to bond to the underlying crust, and the snow we receive on Monday night/Tuesday will have a slick bed surface to run on.
Media
Advanced Information
Weather Summary
Cloud Cover:
Mostly SunnyWind:
Light , SWIt was a gorgeous day. Light winds and full sun out. Any clouds were high in the sky and wispy. Clouds and winds increased after 2 pm.
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