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Observation: Electric Lake

Observation Date
1/10/2015
Observer Name
Darce Trotter/Steve Cote
Region
Skyline » Huntington Canyon » Electric Lake
Location Name or Route
Lower Electric Lake
Weather
Sky
Clear
Weather Comments
bluebird morning, cloud deck moved in just after lunch, threatened to flake as we left at 1:00 PM
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Faceted Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments

snow surface is weakest link right now, dinner plate surface hoar on most sheltered slopes, once buried, will bring us to another round of rolling thunder collapses if we are lucky enough to get more weather.

Forecaster comment: continued mild temperatures combined with cloud cover this afternoon made the snow surface become damp on all aspects up to around 9600 feet in elevation. This should destroy a good amount of the surface hoar that is on the surface right now. Of course, we always look under any new snow to see if any of this monkey business is still present. Kobernik

Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
surface hoar and faceting of surface snow will be the player in next cycle
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

spatial varibility is the main player in the larger picture, and thinner areas are weakening as would be expected. The key will be to assessing where pack is thick and stronger vs areas that did avalanche in the Christmas cycle, and those that didn't. Wind redistribution is also a big player, and unusual east wind event must be considered.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments

surface hoar obvious weak layer with new snow

relative size

Mini wind slab mechanics on surface hoar, what viddy does not show is how even small pieces of windcrust would just mow this stuff over

Video

mowed over surface hoar

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low