Warm and windy at Shields

Traveled to the eastern edge of our forecast area

• Strong winds were blowing snow at mid and upper elevations. A lot of snow was sublimating towards the Dakotas, but thin drifts were forming in a few locations. 
• We triggered a couple of small wind slabs, up to 8” thick, with cornice drops. Ski cuts and stomps on similar slopes were ineffective, just some minor cracking. Concerning features near ridgelines were easy to avoid.
• Freezing levels rose to almost 5,000’. Rain on snow at low elevations initiated rollerballs and pinwheels but no avalanches.
• Persistent slab structure was evident from pole probing, but did not produce any obvious signs of instability. We skied in avalanche terrain but kept to moderate, concave slope angles with good tree anchoring.