Measured 3.6” SWE in storm in Bridgers

At 5pm on 4/20/23 I dug a quick snowpit to look at the storm snow o the Bridger Ridge. at 8,400’ there was 36” of settled snow equal to 3.6” SWE from the last two days. Total depth was 311cm (~10’ 3”).

No cracking or easy triggered loose snow on small test slopes. Surface was getting more slab-like or cohesive. In general the snow was more stable than yesterday, but there was a ton of snow so still potential for big avalanches. Probably less frequent than the recent dry loose snow activity, but potential for larger slab avalanches or wet avalanches.

Stability of the new snow could become worse if wind increases and drifts the snow into dense slabs, or when warm temperatures and sunshine arrive later in the weekend and make the snow wet and weak.