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Observation: Knob Mountain

Observation Date
1/2/2020
Observer Name
John Pikus & Zeb Engberg
Region
Skyline » Cedar Creek » Knob Mountain
Location Name or Route
Knob Mountain and Cow Fork
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Sun tried to peek out a few times but for the most part skies were obscured all day, with poor visibility above about 9,800 feet. Winds were moderate with some stronger gusts especially in the afternoon. Snow was still being transported onto east faces. Intermittent snow flurries in the morning became more sustained in the later afternoon. Wouldn't be surprised if we pick up another couple inches by tomorrow morning.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
9"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Seemed like about 8-10 inches of fresh powder in the areas we traveled. New snow seemed well bonded to the older snow in areas we traveled that were not affected by the wind. We did note some wind affect on east facing slopes but it did not seem to be as severe as we expected.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
We did observe pillowy wind drifts on east facing slopes right under ridgelines.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Comments
We toured on Knob Mountain and in Cow Fork from elevations of 7,000 to 10,000 feet, traveling predominantly on north, east, and west facing slopes. New snow seemed well bonded to the old snow from the Christmas week storms but we did get clean fractures in hand shear tests on the interface between the Christmas storm snow and the older snow on a thin crust layer in several quick test pits. We dug a pit to the ground at 9,700 feet on a NW aspect. We were able to get a failure on this layer (40cm down) in an ECT on the 7th tap from the shoulder but no propagation. Basal facets were present at this location but have seemed to gain strength and were not reactive in tests. Snow depth at this location was 105 cm but we think it was uncharacteristically shallow for the area we were in. Several pole probes in the area revealed snow depths of 125-130 cm. See photo of snow pit below.
We didn't see any signs of natural avalanche activity from this storm, although poor visibility inhibited our ability to get a good look at some of the steeper east and northeast facing slopes in Cow Fork.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates