Gunnison

Snowpack

Zach Guy · Mar 17, 2013 · Gunnison

View on map

Weather

Weather: Overcast. Heavy snow early during cold front passage, with light snow through the day. Ridgetop winds averaged around 30 mph from the WSW, with gusts exceeding 55 mph all day, and max of 72 mph. Intense snow transport at ridgetop and blowing snow at all elevations. Temps rose to 26°F at 10,000 ft. and were steady in the high teens at 12,000 ft.

Snowpack

Snowpack: 4” fell early this morning, with another 3” through the day (but winds affected snow board today). Storm board at 9.5” (1.0" SWE) Snow depths on our terrain range from 0”-15” , fist to 4F- hardness, depending on wind loading/scouring, all on top of melt-freeze crust. Avalanches: Skier triggered 4 soft slabs 6-10” deep, ~25 ft wide on near treeline slopes (W and E aspects), failing on the meltfreeze crust. (SS-AS-R1/D1-I)