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Heads up for changing conditions and increased avalanche hazard today and into tomorrow!
As of this morning approximately 12-18″ of new snow has accumulated since March 1 at Independence Mine Snotel (3050′).
Storm Slabs, Persistent Slabs, and Dry Loose will all be avalanche problems today and into tomorrow.
Signal Word | Size (D scale) | Simple Descriptor |
Small | 1 | Unlikely to bury a person |
Large | 2 | Can bury a person |
Very Large | 3 | Can destroy a house |
Historic | 4 & 5 | Can destroy part or all of a village |
Expect Storm Slabs to be 12″-18″ deep, which can fail on the new snow/old snow interface, and possible to human trigger. Surface hoar was widespread on the old snow surface prior to this storm. Strong pre-frontal winds may have “knocked down” this problem layer, however, it is guilty until proven innocent. Storm slab avalanches may be able to step down into the persistent slab weak layer and result in larger, more dangerous avalanches.
Signal Word | Size (D scale) | Simple Descriptor |
Small | 1 | Unlikely to bury a person |
Large | 2 | Can bury a person |
Very Large | 3 | Can destroy a house |
Historic | 4 & 5 | Can destroy part or all of a village |
Storm snow will be an additional load on top of a persistent weak layer. This layer was buried 1-4 feet deep prior to the storm. Previous to the storm, this layer showed propagation potential, but needed a large load to fail. With the additional new snow load, the likelihood of human triggering this layer has increased.
Signal Word | Size (D scale) | Simple Descriptor |
Small | 1 | Unlikely to bury a person |
Large | 2 | Can bury a person |
Very Large | 3 | Can destroy a house |
Historic | 4 & 5 | Can destroy part or all of a village |
Some natural activity is possible, and human triggered are likely on steep slopes.