Observation Date
12/8/2018
Observer Name
Darce Trotter / Steve Cote
Region
Skyline
Location Name or Route
Electric Lake Bowl
Weather
Sky
Broken
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Relatively warm day, calm winds, cloud blanket prevented very low overnight temps, further settling and strengthening snow pack, no surface hoar formation in these conditions, sun peeking out around noon.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Characteristics Comments
creamy settled powder on most northern aspects, east facing areas have a crust underneath a skiff of new snow
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
We know facets remain in sheltered area and purposely checked out the most sheltered areas to see if layer was thicker, the rest of the pack is right side up, well settled and welded in place, but did notice a couple of thin layers of NSF's between storm layer, did not fail on compression or ECT tests but did produce clear shear when pried upon as video shows
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
layer is damp and gaining strength, but the right combo of thinner bridging layer and thicker faceted layer still a concern
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
temps rising during the day coupled with minimal low overnight temps let to lots of rollers on South aspect, especially as sun started peeking through in after noon.
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
9,400'
Slope Angle
21°
Comments
Thicker faceted layer in this area than in other obs, was enough to convince us to avoid centerpunching the bowl due to well known rocky steep rollover halfway down. We lessened the slope angle and consequences, yet were able to get into a little steeper terrain, skiers L side in the trees. Snow has settled 20 cm at Miller Flat snow stake since Sunday/Monday storm.
Video
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates
