Old Ski Bowl - Approaching Weather

With some weather expected overnight through tomorrow, Nick and I chose to assess the Old Ski Bowl for current surface and wind conditions.

• Below and near treeline, wind was light to calm with no wind effect on the surface. Surprisingly soft snow could be found in the trees, while open areas had a surface sun crust.
• Above treeline, surface conditions were expectedly variable. Large sections of ice, sastrugi, and wind deposited snow could be found across the upper Old Ski Bowl. Snowmobile penetration ranged from 4 inches of wind effected snow to no penetration on ice. Wind was light out of the south. 
• Visibility changed quickly during the day. Clouds passed through, obscuring any visibility in the Old Ski Bowl, and later clearing to blue skys with excellent visibility of the upper mountain.
• Clouds could be seen developing to the west, with some possible precipitation over the Eddy Mountains. 

No signs of snowpack instability were observed.

• Observation Location: Old Ski Bowl
• Elevation: 9,000 feet
• Date: 20230210
• Time: 1300
• Observer: S. Clairmont and N. Meyers
• Sky Conditions: Broken (BKN)
• Current Precipitation: Type - NO
• Air Temperature: 23 °F
• Surface Penetration: Snowmobile penetration = 0 - 4 in (0 - 10 cm)
• Total Snow Depth (HS): 129 in (328 cm)
• 24-hour New Snow Depth (HN24): 0 in (0 cm)
• Wind Direction: SE
• Wind Speed: Light (L), 1-16 mi/hr, twigs in motion