Join us at our 2nd Annual Blizzard Ball

Observation: Electric Lake

Observation Date
3/28/2014
Observer Name
Darce Trotter/ Steve Cote
Region
Skyline » Huntington Canyon » Electric Lake
Location Name or Route
Electric Lake Bowl
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
started out cool and clear with the exception of cloud bank stuck to summit ridge early in the morning, winds were light for the region, sun came out with vengence about 0900, but clouds moved in around noon and kept radiation at bay during the warmest part of the day
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
8"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

got on NE facing early enough that first couple of runs were fluffy but steeper terrain you scrape down to the crust and things would get scratchy. by 10 am the sun had warmed up the new snow and it got more slabby and thick but still remained bonded to underlying crust. 2' drifts off ridgelines where wind had been busy would crack and no doubt you could have initiated wind slabs in extreme terrain as things warmed up, but no natural activity was seen with the exception of roller balls on eastern and southern steep terrain.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
with warmer temps and high angle sun, wind slabs will settle out quickly, but the same sun will activate east, then south, then west facing windloaded areas if significant heating occurs on Saturday
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

obvious and manageable with timing and ski cuts

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments

usual daytime heating easy to avoid

Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
9,600'
Slope Angle
22°
Comments

wind loading, crossloading north shore Electric Lake, seen from above

Cornices on Wedding Ring Ridge

new snow over MF/suncrust

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates