Observation: NWAC Observer

All Observations

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
February 10, 2023
Submitted:
February 10, 2023
Observer:
NWAC Observer - Sam Luthy
Zone or Region:
Olympics
Location:
Hurricane Ridge-Mustang Bowl (4800-5500 NE SW W NW)

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
Yes
Cracking? 
Isolated
Collapsing? 
None Experienced

Media/Attachments

Maggies Snow Stake at 66"
Nice conditions in Mustang Bowl
Blue card indicates facet/crust layers. Here 70cm deep on a NW aspect at 5100 ft
New snow back in the trees.
A little over a pole handle , 15cm, of new above the 2/9 crust.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Mostly Cloudy
Temperature:
30°F
Wind:
Calm , SW
New/Recent Snowfall:
15cm HN

Cloudy with almost no wind. Snowing lightly in flurries.

Snowpack Observations

Cooling overnight and new snow consolidated the upper 30cm of the snowpack. New snow is bonding well to the 2/9 warming crust. Hand shear tests hand moderate effort results with a Q3 failure 30-35cm down.
80-100cm of snow exists above the MLK crust in areas not heavily affected by wind and sun. The upper 60-70cm consists of rounds and decomposing grains with an occasional light crust. Resistance is progressive with depth. Below this storm snow from the past week and 10-20cm above the MLK curst lays a facet / crust combination that was first observed on 1/28 and was wide spread in the BTL anf NTL on northern aspects.. Large Collum tests have indicated propagation within the faceted snow between the crust layers. Little is known about the extent of this layer in the ATL

Avalanche Problems

Problem Location Distribution Sensitivity Size Comments
None Specified
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