20100218 weather data for the 24 hours to 5.30am at 800m

Yesterday in Hakuba's backcountry: over the north side of Tengupara from 2200m again, 50cm of loose dry unconsolidated storm snow, very light blower, on top of 30cm of previous storm snow, all above the 11 Feb melt freeze crust. We skied the 30cm above the crust the day earlier and we were amazed to find another 50 overnight. No wind at all and views of people skiing deep dry powder turns from 2450m off Norikura Dake. Probably the best alpine backcountry powder conditions since Feb 2008 (yes, eight).

This storm has left behind a layer of light low density stellars in some places it is very thin and sits directly on the crust. These stellars may get buried and preserved under the coming windier storm. In my experience, preserved stellars in Hakuba produce a reasonably short lived but very active avalanche cycle. Keep an eye out for them as this new storm progresses. Also keep an eye out for faceting at the Feb 11 crust which is between 15cm and 80cm under and producing medium compression test results with clean shears.

Remember that this is an amateur blog that may be wrong or incomplete. Make your own observations and your own decisions.

This morning’s weather data below.