Green Butte, Middle Ridge (Whales Back)

Observations on Green Butte:

• TIME: 20200128 - 1300 - 1400
• ASPECT: West
• ELEVATION: 8,500 ft
• SKY: Overcast - Various fog layers and sun holes moved in and out as we toured. 
• PRECIPITATION: Yes - S-1 - Very light snowfall
• BLOWING SNOW: No
• TEMPERATURE: 27° 
• HEIGHT OF SNOW (HS): 150 cm (60 in) at 8,400 feet. 
• HEIGHT OF NEW SNOW (HS24): 5-7 cm (2-3 in)
• WIND: There was calm wind below treeline, light to moderate near and above treeline. Approximately 10 mi/hr wind was observed at 8,400

We toured up Green Butte to the ridge between Sun Bowl and Powder Bowl to get some observations on wind slab formation and to gather information about the recent storm. Two to three inches of new snow sits atop a thick supportable crust. The fresh snow below and near treeline shows little to no signs of wind. Trees had large sediment cones showing that the recent warm temperatures and rain have allowed the snowpack to settle significantly. Above treeline, small drifts are forming (3-5 inches deep), but generally, smooth snow surfaces exist in the area. Ski cuts and stomping on small drifts detected no blocking, cracking, or signs of instability.