Meteo

Lakes Basin - Extreme Winds and New Snow

Samantha RubinEastside Region
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Quick report

Cracking
specific

I set out to assess wind and new snow totals today in the Mammoth Lakes Basin. 

  • It was hard to discern how much snow had fallen with extreme winds and intense blowing snow. In the most protected terrain, below treeline, near 9500', new snow measured 10 - 25 cm. Wind loaded leeward slopes near treeline held as much as 40 cm of new snow. 
  • New snow was mostly made up of graupel. 
  • Thin storm slabs were reactive on test slopes in the most protected below treeline terrain. Slabs were small, up to 10 cm deep, and soft, F+ - 4F, breaking on a layer of graupel within the new snow. 
  • 4F wind slabs were stubborn in some places and reactive in others. Slabs below treeline were up to 30 cm deep, breaking on a layer of graupel within the new snow. 
  • 1F wind slabs were reactive on leeward test slopes near treeline. Slabs were up to 40 cm deep, breaking on a layer of graupel within the new snow. 
  • Fresh cornices were easy to break whilst walking nearby. 
Cracking underfoot and propagating cracks in wind loaded terrain.

Weather

Air Temp
28/24
Cloud Cover
overcast
Wind Loading
intense
Recent Snowfall
10 - 25 cm
Snow Avail For Transport
large amounts

Today I experienced extreme southwest winds, intense blowing snow, and consistent precipitation (S1 - S2). New precip was mostly graupel.