Observation Date
2/12/2018
Observer Name
Kevin Dressel
Region
Abajos
Location Name or Route
North Creek, Christmas bowl
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southeast
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Swirling winds in the trees. Strong wind at the tree tops and ridges. Moderate snowfall with occasional graupel. Temps felt relatively warm
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
10"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
Heavy dense base building snow. Just what we need! Made a few turns in Christmas bowl. As much as I wanted to let it run there are still buried hazards. Still only about 20" total at this location. 10,500'
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
New load of heavy dense snow. Weak sugary faceted snow on the ground, some wind transporting snow, and had one collapse dropping into Christmas bowl (low angle East facing slope)
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Snow Profile
Aspect
East
Elevation
10,500'
Slope Angle
30°
Comments
The good consolidated snow I observed last week has turned to facets. On top of that is a sun crust and the new snow from the last 3 storms in the past week
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
