Observation: Electric Lake

Observation Date
2/5/2024
Observer Name
Magerl
Region
Skyline » Huntington Canyon » Electric Lake
Location Name or Route
Electric Lake area
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
East
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Wind was swirling all day, and snowfall was constant from 9a to 3p, with maybe 15 minutes of break. Wind directions included E at 9a to south an hour later to WNW back to E by 3p.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
8"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
About 8 inches of storm snow on east facing at about 8,800 feet. More dense than usual, but easy and fun turns and skinning. Snow felt very damp on faces and was beading up on packs and parkas, but did not clump between boot and binding like wet snow. Skinned and skied east facing and south facing. The south face was a mixed bag with a significant stout crust just below the storm snow from this weekend. The east face was smooth and predictable. Our group experienced no whumphing or cracking on either aspect. Wind was easily transporting snow at the ridgeline and far down the slope, including much crossloading. In our laps we watched an east-facing cornice growing that eventually snapped.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Total depth on east facing at 8,800 feet was 135 cm. Bottom 40 cm still loose sugar, then a firm crust of about 10 cm, then increasingly light snow as you reached the top. Wind direction constantly shifting, creating odd mid-slope drifts of various aspects.
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate