Snow Pack for March 14, 2007
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
By Brigid Mander
It’s that time of year again, when you better get moving early if you plan to travel in the backcountry.
The recent temperatures have been very warm, and the next week is
forecast to remain in the upper 40s during the day and fall into the
20s at night.
As the day progresses avalanche danger will rise with the temperature.
Unlike avy danger during the regular season (unless there is snow
falling at a heavy rate), spring avy danger is usually due to the warm
snow causing wet slides, which are usually slow moving on most slopes
but incredibly heavy.
On steep aspects, they will get going faster, like a gooey blob coming after you.
A skier was killed last week in Darby Canyon in a late afternoon slide.
Avalanche forecasters speculate that warm snow and high temperatures
played a role in the snow’s instability.
Rocky areas are inclined to heat up faster as the rocks heat up the snow, and point releases are happening all over the place.
As it gets later in the day, you should tune into what the snow is
doing as you travel, such as how big the gooey roller balls are, and
how much time you have to get to what you want to
ski.
PERMALINK:
Snow Pack for March 14, 2007 | Planet JH News Article: Snow Report Column
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