Storming. Heavy snowfall.
Another group reported large whumpfing (collapsing in the snowpack).
Observation: Turnagain
Location: Turnagain Flats
Quick ride from the motorized parking lot along the powerline to the north. Deep snow! It was snowing hard and we could not see the ridge so stuck to the trees and well out of avalanche runout zones. Over 3′ of new snow in the past 2 days.
On the drive back to Girdwood we saw a handful of storm slabs that likely released when the sun came out – last photo. The sun only came out in Girdwood interestingly, not in Placer or Turnagain today.
Observer Comments
Weather
Heavy snowfall and obscured skies, could not see the ridges even.
Snowed around 3" in 3 hours.
Temps around 32F in the trees around 1200' and 35F near sea level.
Light north breeze.
Snow surface
Just over 3 feet of new snow (100cm) from the past 2 days. This is the storm total.
The top 14" was new low density, but damp, snow that had fallen since last night. This 14" was sitting on a wet snow crust that formed last night.
Snowpack
We dug a pit around 5 feet deep, to just below the new storm snow. We did not get any results in our pit tests but that's beside the point when 3-4 feet of new snow falls so quickly. It was surprising we had no results, but I'm thinking it was not the most representative location.
Below the storm snow was a mix of facets and crusts. This was the old surface from last week.
Snow pit around 1,200.
Close up of snow pit. The new/old snow interface is very concerning as large avalanches could be triggered when skies clear and folks get out.
Deep snow!
Tall snowbanks!
Slab avalanche seen from the Girdwood FS office. I'm pretty sure it was not there at 330pm then saw it at 5pm.