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Missoula Avalanche

Professional Observation

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
November 28, 2022
Submitted:
November 28, 2022
Observer:
WCMAC - Cam Mackenzie, Arden Feldman, Jeff Carty
Zone or Region:
Central Bitterroots
Location:
Lolo Pass, Crystal Amphitheater

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Media

20221128 N Aspect, 6050', Crystal Amphitheater
View looking northwest from crystal amphitheater
Beginning to look like winter!

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.

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