Observation Date
12/31/2015
Observer Name
Toddeo
Region
Southwest » Pahvant Range » Chalk Creek
Location Name or Route
Pavant Foothills - Chalk Creek
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
socked in all afternoon, no views of the high country.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
4"
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
2" in town and 4" above 5,500'. Very low density. Not well bonded, underlaying surface is weak.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
I don't typically send an observation in from my low elevation tours but found enough snow structure at 6,000' to take note. The November snow has faceted on north facing slopes at this elevation. 8" of 2-3 mm damp rounding facets resulted in an ECTP 10, Q2/3. 1 of three columns collasped upon isolation. This is the that snow fell prior to Veterans day in mid November.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #1 Comments
Based on the facets I saw at low elevation. Moderate danger.
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
6,000'
Slope Angle
40°
Comments
Photo below, chalk creek road with the high country obscured by clouds. Kind of like skiing a groomed green run with 4" of fluff and no other skiers.
The Pine Creek Snotel site here in the Pavants is showing snow depth and SWE that is typical for the 1st week of February. Big Flat in the Tushers is similar.
Pine Creek - HS 54"
Big Flat - HS 40"
Willing to give tours to any skiers with sleds......
Hazard is for mid elevations.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
