Quick report
- Cracking
- specific
I set out to see how this storm fared in the Mammoth area. Up to 6 inches fell in the area, and was blowing all around. New snow was reactive at the new snow/old snow interface, but distribution and size of instabilities were limited today by the amount of snowfall and the variability of snow surfaces @ the interface. Looking along the ridge, and over towards the Mammoth Crest I observed some large cornices on leeward slopes, and obviously textured snow on leeward aspects. However, I was not able to make out any natural avalanche activity.
Cracking underfoot on leeward slopes with varying amounts of propagation. Cracking on new snow old snow interface. Test slopes released small, shallow, soft windslabs.Weather
- Air Temp
- 28/16/26
- Cloud Cover
- broken
- Wind Loading
- intense
- Recent Snowfall
- 10 - 15 cm
- Snow Avail For Transport
- moderate amounts
Snowfall was moderate in the early afternoon hours, and winds were moderate to extreme. Moderate to intense amounts of blowing snow were observed. Winds mellowed alongside snowfall as the afternoon progressed, especially at lower elevations. Skies began to clear, especially towards 395. Winds were still strong to extreme along the ridgeline @ 10K in the sunset hour, temperature was frigid with windchill, and moderate to intense amounts of blowing snow were observed.
Snowpack
I observed up to 6 in of new snow @ 8400 BTL. It was hard to gauge HSN in NTL and ATL due to wind affect. I found graupel on the surface whilst traveling.
New snow and wind blown snow on top of "endless" sugary facets, breakable crust over sugary facets, and supportable crust with facets atop.
Travel was very difficult; it was very difficult to skin (slippery) and very difficult to boot ("endless" facets or slippery facets on supportable crust).
Lots of blowing snow in NTL/ATL terrain, and textured/loaded leeward slopes. Ski cuts gave results on loaded slopes, soft slabs 2 to 6 in deep. Varying amounts of propagation from ski cuts.