Obs-Snow Profile: Cleveland 12/15/2010

Observer Name:

Grant Helgeson

Observation Date:

12/15/2010

Region:

Cleveland
Huntington Canyon
Skyline

Weather

Sky:

Overcast

Precipitation:

Light Snowfall

Wind Direction:

Northwest

Wind Speed:

Strong

Weather Comments:

The morning was totally obscured. Couldn't see anything but cloud. It blew out in the late afternoon revealing strong ridgetop winds wreaking havac with 15 cm of new snow.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth:

New Snow Density:

Low

Snow Surface Conditions:

Dense Loose

Snow Characteristic Comments:

In sheltered locations the snow was great, but up high it was being whipped into a wind slab.

Red Flags

Recent Avalanches

Cracking

Red Flag Comments:

Above treeline a new shooting crack appeared with almost each new step. I was also able to intentionally trigger a small wind slab avalanche.

Primary Concern

Primary Concern:

Wind Slabs

Probability:

Considerable

Aspect:

Northeast

East

Southeast

Elevation:

High

Trend:

Less Dangerous

Primary Concern Comments:

The lower pack seams pretty well bonded, but the recently created wind slabs were very sensitive.

Elevation:

10000'

Aspect:

East

Slope Angle:

snow_profile_location:

United States

39° 34' 14.8944" N, 111° 16' 25.9932" W

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 1)

Strong W - NW winds up high.

Observed Danger Rating:

Considerable

Forecast Danger Rating:

Considerable

Snow Profile Location

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