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Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center

Professional Observation

       

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
December 31, 2022
Submitted:
December 31, 2022
Observer:
Geoff Unger | Key Observer
Zone or Region:
Mammoth Lakes
Location:
Mammoth Lakes Basin Snowpack and Weather Obs

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Snow Stability

Stability Rating: 
Poor
Confidence in Rating: 
Stability Trend: 
Worsening

Key Points

A little tour to stretch the legs and get soaked this morning.  We toured from Mill City at the end of Old Mammoth Road and it was snowing hard with moderate winds in sheltered areas.  This led to our Gore Tex getting soaked through pretty fast.  Long story short the snowpack is getting loaded rapidly from heavy wet snow that is being transported by wind.

Media

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Obscured
Temperature:
Near to above freezing
Wind:
Moderate , SW

Here are a few weather observations from different locations.

Location

Mill City

Time

1100

Elevation

8450

Aspect

E

Sky

Obscured

Tair/Tsurf/T20

Approximately 32 F

Precipitation Type/Rate

S2

Wind

Moderate -> W

Blow Snow

Moderate

Surface Form/Size

PP

Comments

10cm of new in top of wet grains 2cm thick

Location

Mammoth Lakes Basin

Time

1130

Elevation

8800

Aspect

W

Sky

Obscurred

Precipitation Type/Rate

S5

Wind

Moderate -> SW

Blow Snow

Moderate

Surface Form/Size

PP

Comments

15cm of new snow from today on top of moist to wet grains

Location

Pano Dome

Time

12:30

Elevation

8900

Aspect

N

Sky

OBS

Precipitation Type/Rate

S3

Wind

S -> SW gusting X

Blow Snow

I

Surface Form/Size

PP

Pen Boot/Pen Ski

55cm/2cm

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