Professional Observation
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
January 29, 2022 - January 29, 2022Submitted:
January 30, 2022Observer:
WCMAC - Jane QuinnZone or Region:
RattlesnakeLocation:
Snowbowl Beacon Training ParkSigns of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
None ObservedCracking?
None ExperiencedCollapsing?
None ExperiencedSnow Stability
Stability Rating:
Very GoodConfidence in Rating:
HighStability Trend:
SteadyBottom Line
Conditions remain mostly stable due to no new significant loading on the snowpack from wind or precipitation. We did observe surface hoar, so it will be important to keep an eye on if and when it gets buried by the expected snow.
Advanced Information
Weather Summary
Cloud Cover:
Partly CloudyTemperature:
-6 CWind:
Calm , SWThe weather was as forecasted with mostly clear skies, calm to light winds from the southwest, and temps hovering around or slightly below 32F. Near Point Six, we could occasionally observe some blowing snow, so some snow is still available for transport.
Snowpack Observations
We did not find any significant layers of concern in our observations and snowpit. There is a layer of buried near-surface facets about 50 cms down from the surface that was not reactive in our compression tests, but we found if AFTER performing the formal test. There is also a 4cm crust buried 125cm from the surface from a rain event in late December.
Avalanche Problems
We observed blowing snow at higher elevations, but with winds 5 - 8 mph, we do not foresee wind slab problems at this point.
Terrain Use
We observed lots of people out in the Rattlesnake. The snowpack is mostly stable, and people are stepping out into steeper slopes that are more exposed and more consequential. We had a similar mindset of "stepping out," but we did not have time to explore new terrain due to our avalanche course setting.
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