The last avalanche forecast for the 2023-2024 season will post on April 21st. Thank you to all who contributed to the avalanche center this season through observations, volunteer time, and/or financial contributions.

Observations from Powderhouse Peak

Location Name: Powderhouse Peak trees Region: Luther Pass Area (including Job and Freel) Date and time of observation: Sun, 03/05/2017 - 14:00
Location Map: United States 38° 47' 8.988" N, 119° 58' 45.408" W See map: Google Maps US	Red Flags: Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain Terrain Trap

Observation made by: Professional Observer

Snowpit Observations

More detailed information about the snowpack:

About 50 cms of new snow observed around 8500 feet on Powderhouse Peak.

Multiple compression tests in below treeline terrain yielded no sudden results and mostly revealed break type fractures in the top 6 inches of new snow. ECTs did not show propagation.

Snowpack photos:

Quick snow pit in an opening in below treeline terrain showed soft new snow (fist hard) transition to harder old snow (4 finger to 1 finger). Multiple <a href="/avalanche-terms/graupel" title="Heavily rimed new snow, often shaped like little Styrofoam balls." class="lexicon-term">graupel</a> events today.

Multiple <a href="/avalanche-terms/graupel" title="Heavily rimed new snow, often shaped like little Styrofoam balls." class="lexicon-term">graupel</a> events today.

Multiple graupel events today.

In the afternoon wind seemed to shift and begin to gust from the NW. This changed the wind transport in this area and created some <a href="/avalanche-terms/wind-slab" title="A cohesive layer of snow formed when wind deposits snow onto leeward terrain. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow." class="lexicon-term">wind slab</a> in different locations.

In the afternoon wind seemed to shift and begin to gust from the NW. This changed the wind transport in this area and created some wind slab in different locations.

Small test slope that failed under a ski kick.

Limited cracking in front of a ski.

Weather Observations

Blowing Snow:

Yes

Cloud Cover:

100% of the sky covered by clouds

Air temperature:

Below Freezing

Wind Speed:

Strong

Precipitation:

Snow

Air temperature trend:

Static

Wind Direction:

Northwest

Accumulation rate:

Less than 1 in. per hour

More detailed information about the weather:

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Observations from Powderhouse Peak

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Observations from Powderhouse Peak

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