Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
November 20, 2019
Submitted:
December 5, 2019
Observer:
SAC - Davis, VandenBos, Jost
Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns
Location:
Titus Ridge - Weather Station Peak

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
None Observed
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced

Bottom Line

The snowpack setup has significantly deteriorated in this location since I was here two weeks ago. The basal facets are still dry and weak. The main change is the emergence of a fairly stout melt-freeze crust near the surface, now dusted with cold light snow and surface hoar. I'd expect persistent slab issues on slopes with adequate snow coverage (primarily due north in this location) if nothing changes before snow arrives around Thanksgiving.

Media/Attachments

Surface hoar was prevalent anywhere with an existing snowpack and open sky view.
Facets from the ground (in hand) and surface hoar on the snow surface (prior to Thanksgiving storm).

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

About an inch of snow fell Monday night into Tuesday, by the time we were there Wednesday morning it had a widespread layer of SH on all aspects with a clear sky view.

Snowpack Observations

HS: Highly variable. 30-40cm in deeper areas. Dust or dirt on sunnier slopes.

20-30 cm: MF layer. Small facet chains beneath and surface hoar at the surface.
10-20 cm: Dry facets
10-0 cm: Large, dry facets from early Oct and Sept snow