Avy forecast poetry brought to you by the NWAC

[Doug_Hutchinson]

2/11/06 Mtn weather and avy forecast, shows what can happen to a forecaster when things get a little too stable up there:

 

WEATHER SYNOPSIS FOR SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

 

It's hard to believe,

What the weather has done,

From clouds, wind and snow,

To the warmth of bright sun.

 

Now on south facing slopes,

You've got a nice crust,

Breakable in places,

Making skiing quite a bust.

 

At least the danger is low,

From settlement and rounding-

Not much loose snow to move,

Though pass winds have been pounding.

 

But the real problem is,

What may glitter on top-

It's that little surface hoar,

That clear nights like to drop.

 

You'll know it right away,

From each sparkling facet-

That tinkles and fractures,

As soon as you pass it.

 

But winds and sun,

Have made its development sporadic-

Confined to sheltered locations,

Where formation's more automatic.

 

But imagine a load,

Perched over this layer-

It's a recipe that's doomed,

From the start for failure.

 

So as soon as the ridge,

Flattens or moves-

And we go back into,

Some real stormy grooves.

 

The stage is all set,

For danger to be rising-

With a crust and hoar frost,

It's not all that surprising.

 

And in places with no,

Surface hoar to find-

Watch temps with new snow,

To see how it will bind.

 

Models show that next week,

Should get windy and cold-

And if you throw in some snow,

Sensitive slabs may not hold.

 

The cold weather should allow,

Temperature gradients to develop-

And associated vapor transport,

Upper layers will envelop.

 

The resulting new crystals,

Will be faceted and meek-

Concentrating near crusts,

Where bonds will be weak.

 

So stay aware of the weather,

And the changing snowpack-

And make note of the layers,

Before the slabs attack.

[dalius]

I thought you were kidding, but that is totally posted on NWAC's sight. Hilarious