Observation: Electric Lake

Observation Date
2/20/2023
Observer Name
Magerl
Region
Skyline » Huntington Canyon » Electric Lake
Location Name or Route
Electric Lake
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Wind was moving snow again today, but there was a whole lot less to move today after yesterday's significant wind event.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Had to hunt, but found limited good settled powder on a steep north-facing corner. On the way there and back, found wind crusts, wind slabs and sun crusts. The sun crusts were stout but breakable and unpleasant.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Comments
If the storm comes in as predicted, with stiff west winds and more than 10 inches of snow in less than 24 hours, I would anticipate quite a bit of activity on east facing slopes on Wednesday. The winds of the past few days have deposited a lot of snow onto east faces. Did some digging on an east-facing 30 degree slope at 9,400', about 80 vertical feet below a ridge. About 5 cm of wind-blown soft powder on top of a sun crust, then another sun crust 5 cm lower and another 10 cm below that. The layers were not bonding well. All were very easy to move. Throw in another 10 inches of snow, 40 mph gusts and the drifts that come with that, and it shouldn't take much of a load to get the top layers moving.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate