Observation: Big Meadow

Observation Date

1/5/2026

Observer Name

Brett Kobernik

Region

Skyline » Huntington Canyon » Left Fork Huntington Canyon » Lake Canyon » Big Meadow

Location Name or Route

Big Meadow in lower Lake Canyon

Weather

Sky

Overcast

Precipitation

Light Snowfall

Wind Direction

West

Wind Speed

Moderate

Weather Comments

Light snowfall in the morning then decreasing through mid day. Then, between about 3 an 4pm there was an intense period of moderate to heavy snowfall as one last impulse moved through. All said, there was about 2 inches of accumulation during the day, maybe 3 inches if I'm being generous. Moderate speed wind most of the day was enough to transport some snow.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth

New Snow Density

High

Snow Surface Conditions

Dense Loose

Snow Characteristics Comments

This was another storm that produced quite dense snow. Not as dense as the previous storm though. This provided very good ski conditions. The sled was fun also but you need to muscle the machine a bit to get it up on edge in the dense snow. There was about 6 inches total new snow in the areas I traveled today. The snowpack is mostly supportable to skis and snowmobiles. When I stepped off my skis or the sled, I wasn't punching all the way through to the ground like I was over the weekend.

Red Flags

Wind Loading

Poor Snowpack Structure

Red Flags Comments

It wasn't outrageous, but there was definitely some snow getting drifted around by the wind in places. If you dig, even with just your hands, you will find a layer of loose facets near the ground.

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Wind Drifted Snow

Trend

Decreasing Danger

Problem #1 Comments

I noticed only minor drifting in the areas I was skiing today. That said, when I drove over the Skyline Summit, wind was most definitely transporting snow. Fresh wind drifts and wind slabs would be my main concern if I were traveling on the snow along the highest terrain. The biggest threat would be in areas that have the layer of weak faceted snow near the ground AND a fresh wind drift on top of them.

Snow Profile

Comments

Regarding the snowpack structure and the snow profile above (taken with the Propagation Labs Snow Scope), there are a few things to note. First, there is a layer of loose faceted near the ground. Second, there are some very strong layers of snow above the facets. The overall stability of the snowpack hinges on those strong layers. They are strong enough right now to keep things stable. I have not been experiencing widespread collapsing and I have not seen any avalanches breaking down into the facets yet. It appears that we will need quite a bit more weight before things get really active. That means we need more layers of snow before things get dangerous. I suppose that if we keep getting small storms and never rapidly overload the snowpack, those buried facets will eventually gain strength and not be a concern. This is mostly wishful thinking.

Bottom line: I will never trust a snowpack that has a layer of loose facets in it. Only after these facets have gained strength and the hand hardness has increased to near 1 finger will I feel comfortable.

Today's Observed Danger Rating

Moderate

Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating

Moderate

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