Observations from Ebbetts Pass

Location Name: 
Ebbetts Pass
Region: 
Ebbetts Pass Area
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 01/28/2018 - 12:00
Location Map: 
United States
38° 32' 46.3884" N, 119° 48' 37.4904" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Rapid warming
Obvious avalanche path
Terrain Trap
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Pic 1: Zac Bush examining a shooting crack after several snowmobile cuts of this test slope. NE aspect at 8800ft.

Pic 2: Crack extends down to facets above the crust. Note snowmobile track in background that caused the crack.

Facets both above and below this recently buried crust were observed throughout the area today, most prominently on shaded and partly shaded slopes near and just below treeline. We also found collapsed surface hoar, buried 30cm from the surface.

On a shaded slope at 8700ft, PSTs showed propagation potential on both the deeper facets and the shallower facets under the crust. PST 40/100 (end) down 90cm, and PST 35/100 (end) down 45cm.

Some minor roller ball activity observed on sunny, rocky slopes.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
50% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Accumulation rate: 
None
More detailed information about the weather: 

Warm, calm day with thin high clouds.