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Professional Observation

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
December 19, 2022
Submitted:
December 20, 2022
Observer:
PAC - George Halcom
Zone or Region:
Goose Lake Area
Location:
Just North of Granite Weather Station

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
None Observed
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced
Currently, the upper foot has a few weak layers and crusts and is loose and unconsolidated which is enough to warrant a loose snow avalanche problem.

Snow Stability

Stability Rating: 
Good
Confidence in Rating: 
Moderate
Stability Trend: 
Worsening

Bottom Line

The lower portion of our snowpack has gained a lot of strength in the last 2 weeks. Weak layers that formed in October and November are not showing up in stability tests. The upper foot is loose and un-consolidated, comprised of a couple of crusts and buried surface hoar and near surface facets. Tuesday evening we will begin the test of how well the upper foot of snow will support over a foot of new snow and strong winds.

Expect the avalanche danger to rise by Wednesday as wind slabs will likely take over as our primary concern and with the buried weak layers currently, we will likely also see sensitive storm slabs forming in areas that are sheltered from the wind.

Check your slope angle regularly, and use caution on and near slopes that are steeper than 30 degrees or connected to slopes that are steeper than 30 degrees. Red flags like recent avalanches, cracking, or whumphing noises in the snow are going to be the first signs that the snow is dangerous...find another, lower-angle slope to play on.

Media

Granite Mt Weatherstation
Just North of The Granite Weatherstation at 7800 FT

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Overcast
Wind:
Light , SE

Above 8,000 feet the mountains were socked in and not visible. Light to calm winds out of the SSE. An inch of very light snow covering barely buried surface hoar.

Snowpack Observations

The only failure was about a foot down from the surface on fragments of buried surface hoar particles: CT 11 was Broken and did not propagate in an extended column test (ECTX).

Just North of The Granite Weatherstation at 7800 FT

Avalanche Problems

Loose snow avalanches up to a foot deep or more are possible on slopes steeper than 35 degrees

Terrain Use

We recognized the potential danger of loose snow avalanches or sluffing in steep and confined terrain, but did not experience any on the slopes we skied.

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