Quick report
Wind loaded terrain exists near and above treeline on easterly and southerly aspects. Large amounts of snow blowing from west to east were observed. There's a good chance northerly aspects are holding wind drifted snow too. However, I didn't observe any northerly aspects today. Snow was seen blowing over ridgelines, over large rock features, and through depressions and gullies on slopes. Wind drifts were found on leeward slopes, depressions and pockets, beneath ridgelines, and along convex features. Snow surfaces varied from soft wind-textured snow, ice glaze, hard wind board, and stastrugi features.
A small crown was observed on the hanging snow field of Green Butte.Weather
- Air Temp
- 20
- Cloud Cover
- broken
- Wind Loading
- intense
- Recent Snowfall
- 2.5
- Snow Avail For Transport
- large amounts
Below treeline, low clouds made for terrible visibility and white-out conditions. The mid and upper elevations sat just above the clouds. Overhead, fast-moving clouds were present, making for variably visibility. Temperatures remain below freezing, with single digit wind chill. Strong winds with extreme gusts were experienced throughout the day.
Snowpack
A pit was dug on a southeast aspect at 8,600 feet. The height of snow was 40 inches (100 cm). This was a past and present wind loaded location.
- From the surface down, 60 cm of 4-finger & 1-finger hard snow exists. Two interfaces exist within the top 60 cm of snow. These interfaces may be more likely to fail and encounter in the days to come.
- Beneath, is 3 cm crust.
- Below the crust, 30 cm of 4-finger soft snow exists. This was the failing layer in stability tests.
This snow pit displayed an upside-down snowpack structure. The crust is most likely bridging the weak layer from being penetrable. This Dec 30th crust is widespread and exists at all elevations, but is far more stout and robust near and below treeline. No other signs of instability were observed.