Signs of an avalanche during the last storm near Lake of the Woods.

Location Name: 
Lake of the Woods.
Region: 
Independence Lake Area
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Wed, 01/24/2018 - 23:30
Location Map: 
United States
39° 29' 59.6364" N, 120° 23' 2.1552" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Forecaster
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
Dry
Slab
Slope: 
38degrees
Trigger type: 
Natural
Crown Height: 
2 ft
Aspect: 
Northeast
Weak Layer: 
Old Snow
Avalanche Width: 
100ft.
Terrain: 
Near Treeline
Elevation: 
7 800ft.
Bed Surface: 
Old Snow
Avalanche Length: 
250ft.
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

Old crown examined on Jan 30 of an avalanche that likely occurred late night on Jan 24 during the storm. The bed surface and crown had been mostly filled in by the second snowfall event on Jan 25. Digging into the crown and bed surface revealed that the avalanche appeared to have failed along the top of a 1 to 2 cm thick layer of faceted snow just above a rain crust at the base of the storm snow. Slope angle below the crown ranged from 34 to 38 degrees. Aspect of start zone measured 030 to 045 deg true.

Avalanche Photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Strong
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Cooling
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Greater than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

Weather observations info is from the time of likely avalanche occurance late night on Jan 24.