From NWAC - This is worth noting

Thanks for the arial recon, Gary. Those are some pretty terrifying looking cornices on most of those ridgelines.

From the forecast history it looked like the easterly aspects were forecasted as the most dangerous in the 4/10-4/12 timeframe. Out of curiosity, especially with the 1-2' slides, do you recall observing any general patterns to the aspects that went?

Thanks Marcus -
Man, am I frustrated with myself that I wasn't adequately impacted by the learning opportunity (reminder of the risk scenario) you just gave us all a refresher course in.

Believe me, I felt the same way with Dan Otter's lesson. Luckily we're all still here to talk about it.

Thanks for the arial recon, Gary. Those are some pretty terrifying looking cornices on most of those ridgelines.

From the forecast history it looked like the easterly aspects were forecasted as the most dangerous in the 4/10-4/12 timeframe. Out of curiosity, especially with the 1-2' slides, do you recall observing any general patterns to the aspects that went? 

E_N, There were many nasty cornices which appeared to be the trigger for the mega slides. Cornice fall would be more likely after a storm.

The new snow slabs were all on north to east aspects. For instance, there were 3 on Sloan. These didn't release for the most part from cornices, but just on steeper slopes. There was a windy storm just before our flight. It hasn't been nearly as windy the past few days but storms at the end of this weekend and early next week will probably be windy again.

If folks wouldn't mind, if you see any of these mega slides this spring, describe and put those observations here as an archive (not as a current state of affairs). So far the avalanches are the biggest since 1990, but not all that plentiful. I would think they will become more so on the east side especially as we see some warming - more likely if it comes rapidly.

Edited to add: The period from May 1st ot 5th may be interesting with
a - surprise - 6 to 10 day outlook forecast of above normal temperatures with above normal precip. Things look to return to the old familiar below normal temps after that according to the 8 to 14 day outlook.

any mega slide evidence in the last couple weeks? i've been out a bunch and have only seen low elevation (between 3,000-5,000ft) wet slabs that took out some trees but nothing huge.

Big slide on the NC highway. 20 ft. deep by 100 ft. wide. with trees and debris. Clearing equipment was on the other side! Was in the most recent email about the snow clearing.