Treeline - Old Ski Bowl

A wintry day with chilly temps, light snow and limited visibility. Precipitation began mid-morning and last throughout the day. Little snow accumulated in town and perhaps an inch or so above 5,000 feet. Gusty winds were observed above treeline, evident from spin drift visible off Green Butte. Snow quality remains good in most areas. A few crusts have been forming at lower elevations. In a snow pit at 8,000 feet in the Old Ski Bowl on an easterly facing aspect, we found a few weak layers along density changes within the recent storm snow, but no persistent grain types or alarming failure planes. It would be difficult to trigger any remaining storm slabs. Primary concern remains for new wind slabs in steep terrain near and above treeline.

• Observation Location: Town to Old Ski Bowl - Powerlines
• Elevation: 4,000 - 8,000 feet
• Date: 20230119
• Time: 1000 - 1400 hours
• Observer: Meyers/Falconer
• Sky Conditions: Obscured (X)
• Current Precipitation: Type - SN, Rate - S-1 
• Air Temperature: 21°F
• Surface Penetration: Snowmobile penetration = 5-10 in, boot penetration = 1 ft 
• Total Snow Depth (HS): 147 in
• 24-hour New Snow Depth (HN24): 1 in
• 24-hour New Snow Water Equivalent (HN24W):  .26 in
• Wind Direction: W | NW 
• Wind Speed: Light (L), 1-16 mi/hr, twigs in motion with gusts to moderate (M), 17-25 mi/hr, small trees sway
• Column & Block Tests:
  • Slope Angle & Aspect 30º, E
  • ECTN23 ↓ 17 cm (see photo)

Old Ski Bowl weather station: We apologize for the limited data from the OSB weather station recently. The power supply breaker keeps tripping, and we are working on fixing the issue.