Rain to 9,800' on Relay Peak.

Touring on Relay Peak during the early portion of the storm between 11 am and 1:30 pm revealed rain up to 9,800' with temporary, periodic lowering of snow level down to 9,600'. At the high point of travel at 9,960', new snow accumulation was less than 1 cm (0.5 inch). Gale force SW winds were observed along ridgetops, but no blowing snow was observed. A significant increase in precipitation intensity was noted while departing the area around 1:45 pm. As the storm progresses through the afternoon and evening hours, increasing snowfall accumulation, blowing snow, and increasing avalanche danger are expected.

Testpits dug on a N aspect at 9,960' (39.313084, -119.943002) and on an E aspect at 9,600' (39.312718, -119.935619) that targeted surface wind slabs less than 15 cm (6 in) thick revealed ECTN and ECTX results. This matched well with intentionally skier triggered cornice collapses above small to moderate size wind loaded slopes that produced no results. Collapsed cornice chunks ranged from the size of a 55 gallon drum to the size of a refrigerator. Cornices were very dense and challenging to collapse.