Quick report
Persistent slab problem is slowly stabilizing at least in northern and eastern zones. West Mountain is more reactive than around McCall. MF crust observed on solar and shaded aspects, is becoming buried this afternoon. 2-4" of snow expected this PM with strong SW winds.
Weather
- Air Temp
- 30
- Cloud Cover
- broken
- Wind Loading
- light
- Rain Elevation
- 5500
- Recent Snowfall
- None
- Snow Avail For Transport
- none
The storm rolled in around 1400. SW winds were moderate to strong. Clouds were obscuring elevations above 7400'. Graupel was falling at the onset of the storm. Rain level looked to be around 5500'.
Snowpack
We dug three different pits today. Two were on NE aspects at 7000' and 7700'. Another quick pit was dug to assess structure of the "snowpack" on a SE aspect around 8000'. Both north pits were similar in structure, the upper elevation location was nearly double the snow depth as the lower. Rimed surface hoar found above 7300'. A thin layer of near-surface facets found at upper elevation snow pit about 13 cm down. Both produced ECTN 14 (lower elevation failed above the early December rain crust, upper elevation failed on the NSF 13 cm down). SE pit HS was about 45 cm. Rain crust was breaking down and there was a thin layer of facets below the rain crust. Lacking a slab, but could become a problem once more snow falls. Upper 20 cm was moist beneath MF crust below 7000'.