Wooshing Intensifies

Went the southeast corner of the forecast area to monitor new, and recent, wind slabs.

• We triggered multiple soft slab avalanches on test slopes. These were all about 6-10 inches deep but propagated widely.
• Blowing snow and snowfall intensified and became more widespread at all elevaitons throughout the day.
• Cornices were multi-layered. The top (newest) layer was fragile and easy to kick off. Other skiers had triggered small slabs by kicking similar cornices yesterday and this morning.
• We did not find persistent weak layers in our snow profile. We did get propagating results on a layer of very soft decomposing snowflakes and gaupel 1.5 feet below the surface.
• We intentionally retraced our tracks out in the afternoon. We found the same test slopes and cornices growing and becoming more reactive. Some of the slopes we had triggered in the morning had filled back in.
• Above freezing temps and light rain on the canyon floor of the Middle Fork on our morning commute caused lots of small rollerballs on road cuts. By the evening commute, all precip was snow. Snowfall was moderate at times with periods of intense blowing snow.