Professional Observation
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
January 27, 2023Submitted:
January 27, 2023Observer:
Geoff Unger | Key ObserverZone or Region:
Mammoth LakesLocation:
Mammoth Lakes Basin Surface Faceting, Surface Hoar and Surface WarmingSigns of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
None ObservedCracking?
None ExperiencedCollapsing?
None ExperiencedKey Points
A little tour and ski in the Lakes Basin today revealed all the surface conditions from soft facets and surface hoar to wind board and tree bomb debris strewn forest.
- Surface Facets were observed up to 2mm
- Surface Hoar was observed up to 6mm, but the majority of the surface hoar in the Twin Lakes Trees was smaller (2mm) and broken up by snow chunks fallen from the trees.
- Wind texture, wind skin and wind board were in evidence in all but the most sheltered areas.
- Debris from strong winds was on the surface of the snow in many areas. Pine needles, pine cones and branches peppered all areas in the trees.
- Radiation and temperature were strong enough to impact the surface snow on south facing slopes that were steeper than flat.
- Radiation also impacted remaining snow in the trees and the trees continued to shed the additional weight.
Media
Advanced Information
Weather Summary
Cloud Cover:
Mostly SunnyTemperature:
6.5 degrees CWind:
Light , W
Field Weather Observations
|
Location |
Horseshoe |
|
Time |
1100 |
|
Elevation |
8990 |
|
Aspect |
SE |
|
Sky |
Few |
|
Tair |
6.5 C |
|
Precipitation Type/Rate |
NO |
|
Wind |
L->SW |
|
Blow Snow |
None |
|
Surface Form/Size |
FC 0.5-1.0 |
|
HST |
0 |
|
HS |
218 |
|
Pen Boot/Pen Ski |
20/5 |
|
Location |
McCloud |
|
Time |
1400 |
|
Elevation |
9900 |
|
Aspect |
N |
|
Sky |
-BKN |
|
Tair |
2.0 C |
|
Precipitation Type/Rate |
NO |
|
Wind |
L->W |
|
Blow Snow |
None |
|
Surface Form/Size |
RGwp |
|
HST |
0 |
|
HS |
320+ |
|
Pen Boot/Pen Ski |
10cm/2cm |