Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
January 8, 2023
Submitted:
January 9, 2023
Observer:
SAC - VandenBos (off duty)
Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns
Location:
Galena Peak (7,300-9,800, SW-W-NW-N)

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
None Observed
Cracking? 
Isolated
Collapsing? 
None Experienced
Cracking in isolated wind drifts along ridgeline.

Snow Stability

Stability Rating: 
Good
Confidence in Rating: 
Low
Stability Trend: 
Worsening

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Overcast
Wind:
Moderate , S
New/Recent Snowfall:
15cm by 1700

Afternoon wx obs: snowing S1-S3 through duration of short tour. Winds were calm until I got to around 9,500', then steady light with occasional moderate gusts from the S.

Avalanche Observations

None observed, but visibility was very limited

Snowpack Observations

Quick tour to check on the storm in progress. 15cm of new snow was being transported into small, isolated drifts up to 30cm along the ridgeline. A few of these drifts produced some cracking when I kicked at them. I'd expect you could've found a small, isolated, triggerable wind slab later on in the day today.

Lack of wind was helping to preserve the mixture of surfaces that got buried over the previous few days, I'm expecting to see stability deteriorate with additional loading.