Mt Houghton Observations

The Slide Mountain remote sensor was one of the only locations in the forecast region reporting below overnight freezing temperatures,  So, we decided to go to Mt Houghton to look at snow surface conditions and monitor wet snow development.  While some areas are melting out with sections of exposed dirt and rock, there is still plenty of snow for recreation in this area and we found a good overnight refreeze of the snow surface this morning.  Snow surface conditions were very smooth in this area with soft supportable corn snow at 11am.  By 11:30am, more wet snow had developed with less supportable conditions with a deeper boot and ski pen.  We were able to trigger a small wet loose avalanche along with some roller balls and pinwheels around this same time in steeper terrain around rocks and gully features.  E winds were moderate and cool, but were limited to the ridgelines.  Earlier start times may be required to find good corn snow if getting out this week with increasing temperatures and decreasing winds forecasted.