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Missoula Avalanche

Professional Observation

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
April 3, 2022
Submitted:
April 4, 2022
Observer:
WCMAC - Ryan Sorenson
Zone or Region:
Central Bitterroots
Location:
Sky Pilot

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
Yes
Cracking? 
Isolated
Collapsing? 
None Experienced
We saw a few small natural wind slabs on the east aspects and loose wet on solars.

Snow Stability

Stability Rating: 
Good
Confidence in Rating: 
High
Stability Trend: 
Worsening

Bottom 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 Sunny
Wind:
Light , SW

It 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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