West Side - Eddys Mtns

Stuck our noses into the leading edge of the atmospheric river today. Mother Nature isn't messing around with this one. A moist storm with gale force wind and near whiteout conditions. Precipitation was rapidly falling from the sky, but didn't accumulate all too rapidly due to wild and crazy wind. Blowing predominantly out of the south, the wind sounded like a jet above the tree tops. In more localized zones, wind would swirl from all directions. It's difficult to tell where old and new snow interfaces exist. Drifting, well below treeline, was impressive. Drifts across roads driving out of the mountains were also significant. Most notable today was the nuking wind and new, moisture laden snow building up on top of soft, recent storm snow. Large, deep wind slabs were also observed. A weak layer within the top 6-10 inches of storm snow is continuing to be identified in the mountains west of I-5. (See photo) The main recipe for avalanches currently is the upside down avalanche cake: heavy, wet snow on top of lighter, low density snow. Tread lightly.

VIDEO: https://youtube.com/shorts/DbP3mqbO5E4?feature=share

• Observation Location: Eddy Mountains - 
• Elevation: 6,800 feet
• Date: 20230309
• Time: 1430 hours
• Observer: Meyers
• Sky Conditions: Obscured (X)
• Current Precipitation: Type - SN, Rate - S1
• Air Temperature: 23 °F
• Surface Penetration: boot penetration (PF) = 1-3 feet
• Total Snow Depth (HS): 150 in
• 24-hour New Snow Depth (HN24): 2 inches
• 24-hour New Snow Water Equivalent (HN24W): n/a
• Wind Direction: SE | S | SW 
• Wind Speed: Strong (S), 26-38 mi/hr, whole trees in motion
• Column & Block Tests:
  • Slope Angle & Aspect 20º, NW
  • ECTN8-12 ↓ 6-8 in
  • CT8-12 RP↓ 6-8 in