Sawatch
AvalancheJason Konigsberg · May 1, 2016 · Front Range
Weather
Cold and blusterly in the morning. Skies were obscured and easterly (seemed more southeast) wind was moderate with strong gusts at all elevations. Gusts estimated to over 40 mph. Towards noon skies became broken and temps felt much warmer.
Snowpack
Primary concern today was wind-drifted snow. There was a lot of snow moving around at all elevations from the strong winds. A lot of cracking under skies in the new snow. The wind-drifts seemed to be most sensitive and stiffest near treeline. We did not get on any wind-drifted slopes above 35 degrees but on lower angle slopes we could initiate fractures with the slab not releasing due to low slope angle.
Avalanche
Small natural Wind Slab avalanches on steep-westerly terrain featues. Very small Loose Dry avalanches out of steep rocky terrain.