Gunnison

Avalanche

CBAC Staff · Jan 16, 2024 · Gunnison

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Weather

CLOUD COVER Few (Mostly Clear, up to 2/8 covered) TEMPERATURE (F) Not Observed NEW OR RECENT SNOWFALL (CM) Not Observed RAIN/SNOW LINE Not Observed SNOW AVAILABLE FOR TRANSPORT Small Amounts WIND LOADING Previous WEATHER SUMMARY Light transport in general, some larger plumes off of a few peaks through the day.

Snowpack

Settlement cones are about 6". In windsheltered terrain, ski pen is about shin deep and the weak layer is about 80 cm deep. The snow surface is stiffer at higher elevations from previous drifting. The bottom of the slab is often stiffer (4F to 1F +) from the wind event earlier this week.

Avalanche

Widespread cycle of D1 to D3 persistent slab avalanches in the past few days, one large avalanche that I believe ran mid-morning today on Axtell. The recent activity was largest and most extensive on leeward terrain. Windward alpine aspects and low-elevation south-facing terrain weren't as active but still produced avalanches in some areas. Crowns appeared to be 2 to 4 feet thick on the early January weak layers.