Professional Observation
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
November 28, 2022Submitted:
November 28, 2022Observer:
WCMAC - Cam Mackenzie, Arden Feldman, Jeff CartyZone or Region:
Central BitterrootsLocation:
Lolo Pass, Crystal AmphitheaterSigns of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
None ObservedCracking?
None ExperiencedCollapsing?
None ExperiencedMedia
Advanced Information
Snowpack Observations
WCMAC forecasters traveled through Crystal Amphitheater today. We found a thin and variable snowpack with 4-5 inches (10-12cm) of new snow overnight. Depending on the aspect, this new snow sits on a melt freeze crust on southerly aspects and a layer of near surface facets on northern and sheltered slopes. Our primary layers of concern moving forward are the buried near surface facets and buried surface hoar. Right now, there is not enough of a slab above these layers to allow for propagation or slab avalanches. As we move into this next storm, there is potential to build enough of a slab to support avalanches.