Weekly Recap by Rob the Intern. Video by Blase Reardon. Friday 12/13/19 - Thursday 12/19/19 We rolled into last weekend primed for excitement. The system that arrived midweek finished strong on Friday with storm totals amounting to 3.1 inches SWE at Noisy Basin, 2.6 inches at Stahl Peak and 1.7 inches at Flattop. We wondered how PWL’s including the 11/19 crust/facets, 11/23 surface hoar, and 12/1 rime crust would hold up to the rapid loading. Although little activity was witnessed during the storm, observations over the following days indicated a natural cycle of D1.5-D3 slides ran on December 13th (a la Red Meadow, Rescue Creek, Nyack and Penrose, Puzzle Creek). The weekend was characterized by sporadic snowfall, decreasing temperature and increasing winds. Skies cleared and temperatures rose through Monday and Tuesday as a high-pressure ridge approached and ultimately passed on Wednesday. Winds remained moderate out of the Southwest. Snowpack tests during this time hint at stability while the occasional whumpf suggests “mmmmmmm.. maybe not.” Clancy noted a thin rime crust at all elevations and aspects in Southern Glacier NP. Freaky Fridays will likely continue for a second week due to a surge of tropical moisture passing overhead tonight into tomorrow. This week’s episode features an additional yet uncertain twist: a rising freezing level.
