Wind loading and buried graupel near Blue Lakes

Location Name: Polaris Bowl & Indian Valley Region: Carson Pass Area Observation Date & Time: Sunday, February 24, 2019 - 02:00
Location: 38.747581, -119.938557 See map: CalTopo	Is this an Avalanche Observation?: No Conditions Alerts: Other Signs of Instability (cracking, whumpfing, collapsing) Recent Loading Recent Loading›Blowing Snow Terrain Alerts: Slopes Steeper than 30 degrees Terrain Matches the Advisory

Observation made by: Public

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Observation

Description of Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions:

Test slopes showing unstable wind slab. Sudden planer results on deep tap test 120cm down on graupel above rain crust.

Snowpack Details

Total Snow Depth:

120cm

Persistent Weak Layers:

Not observed

Terrain Details

Terrain: elevations:

Above Treeline

Near Treeline

Terrain: aspects:

Avalanche Details

Avalanche Type:

Wind Slab

Trigger

Trigger:

Snowmobiler

Trigger Modifier:

Intentionally Triggered

Terrain

Start Zone Slope Angle:

30degrees

Aspect:

North

Starting Elevation:

above-treeline

Size

Destructive Size:

D1 Relatively harmless to people.

Relative Size:

R1 Very Small

Avalanche Width (Average width):

10ft.

Avalanche Length (Vertical Run):

20ft.

Weather Details

Elevation of Observation:

8000 - 9000 ft.

Blowing Snow:

Moderate

Wind Direction:

Northeast

Wind Speed:

Moderate

Sky Cover:

Broken - Mostly Cloudy - more than 4/8 and less than 8/8

Air temperature:

Below Freezing

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Wind loading and buried graupel near Blue Lakes

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Wind loading and buried graupel near Blue Lakes

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