No obvious signs
Observation: Turnagain
Location: Tincan
Tincan up to 3,400’. On South aspects we investigated surface conditions; on West and North aspects we looked under the surface.
Observer Comments
Weather
Clear skies at 1pm
Clouds moved in by 230pm with very light flurries - no accumulation
Trace of new snow from early this morning
Mild temps in the low 30s F in the Alpine
Snow surface
1,000’-2,000’ - trace of new snow on a thick melt freeze layer that melted slightly by 5pm
2,000-3,400’ - South - 3-6” of MF grains mainly in the melt phase just under the trace of new snow
- North - 3-6” of soft settled snow on the surface. 2” MF layer below 2,500’ under trace of new snow
Rollerballs observed on steep terrain on all aspects. Most seemed at least a day old.
Snowpack
We dug in 3 locations today and found no remarkable results or major snowpack issues. It is important to note that all pits were dug in areas with a thick snowpack, in the 180-250cm range.
1. W aspect - 2,800’ - Height of Snow (HS) = 250cm
2. N aspect - 3,400’ - HS=180cm
3. N aspect - 2,800’ - HS=200cm
If I were to hang my assessment hat on only these pits I would be kidding myself. We have pockets in the forecast area that harbor a layer of weak snow 2-3’ down. Those pockets exist mainly on aspects with a Northerly component. Continued assessment and caution is advised for steep North facing terrain.
The snow on the approach to Tincan is hagning in there. No need for hiking or mudskipping, for now.
Spring has sprung. A catterpillar at 2,000'.
A trace of new snow was found on the trees at 2,000'.