Snow + wind + ECTPs

Location Name: Ward canyon Region: Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area Observation Date & Time: Thursday, January 16, 2020 - 16:15
	Is this an Avalanche Observation?: No Conditions Alerts: Other Signs of Instability (cracking, whumpfing, collapsing) Other Signs of Instability (cracking, whumpfing, collapsing)›Shooting Cracks Recent Loading Recent Loading›Blowing Snow Recent Loading›Snowfall Rates of More Than 1 in/hr

Observation made by: Educator at Tahoe Mountain School

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Observation

Description of Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions:

Went for a quick tour to see how much new snow had fallen + run some tests to see how the snowpack was reacting to the new snow load.

Heavy snowfall rates ( S5 ) and strong/extreme winds were creating whiteout conditions below tree line. I did not travel into Ax terrain or near/above tree line.

Several ECTs produced the same results on Jan 4th facet/crust combo. ECTP-17 x 2 and ECTP-21 - see attached picture. Pit aspect/elevation: W 288 - 7200ft

ECTP-17 @ 105cm / HS 140

Skin track re-filled after 1 hour

Weather Details

Elevation of Observation:

7000 - 8000 ft.

Blowing Snow:

Intense

Wind Direction:

Southwest

Wind Speed:

Strong

Sky Cover:

Obscured by fog, etc

Highest Precipitation Rate:

Heavy Snowfall (S5 = 5 cm /~2 in per hour)

Precipitation:

Snow

Air temperature:

Below Freezing

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