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Missoula Avalanche

Professional Observation

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
January 29, 2022 - January 29, 2022
Submitted:
January 30, 2022
Observer:
WCMAC - Jane Quinn
Zone or Region:
Rattlesnake
Location:
Snowbowl Beacon Training Park

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
None Observed
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced

Snow Stability

Stability Rating: 
Very Good
Confidence in Rating: 
High
Stability Trend: 
Steady

Bottom 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 Cloudy
Temperature:
-6 C
Wind:
Calm , SW

The 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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