Vail & Summit County
AvalancheScott Toepfer · Apr 27, 2015 · Vail & Summit County
Weather
Clouds increasing rapidly, Showers developing over high terrain Above treeline was still 'cool' at noon. Getting muggy lower in the track. Not quite roller ball material at 1 PM, but not far off.
Snowpack
Below 10,000 feet, a density change in April 26th storm created a distinct weak layer, Collapse and cracking noted in the runout. A developing stout crust at the surface of Hs. Maybe this allows larger slab from higher elevation to run further??? The mid-pack density went away with elevation, but was replaced with a 4 to 8" stiffening storm slab on a very firm and smooth bed surface. There were faceted grains on this bed surface. This was reactive on west and southwest aspects above treeline. By 2 PM there was a wide spread Wet Loose cycle underway. All small, but running off most near and below treeline West to North aspects, especially off rocks and steep terrain. Even though daytime highs were not that warm, the cloud cover made it feel pretty muggy at lower elevations. More of same on Tuesday.
Avalanche
LNR1D0.5 on N aspects. Ran during Saturday's high precip intensity period. Many WLN N to W aspects near and below TL by Monday afternoon. Two small SSASCR1D1I on west and southwest aspects above 12,000.