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Storm Snow Instability

Location Name: Munchkins East Bowl Observation Date & Time: Tuesday, January 15, 2019 - 14:15
Location: 39.166530, -120.219461 See map: CalTopo	Is this an Avalanche Observation?: No Conditions Alerts: Avalanche Activity Other Signs of Instability (cracking, whumpfing, collapsing) Persistent Problem Recent Loading Recent Loading›Snowfall Rates of More Than 1 in/hr Terrain Alerts: Slopes Steeper than 30 degrees Obvious Slide Path Trigger Points Terrain Traps Terrain Matches the Advisory

Observation made by: Public

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Observation

Description of Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions:

Spent two hours out in the terrain adjacent to Alpine Meadows. Moderate snowfall rates were observed throughout the tour. New snow accumulation of 5-15cm was recorded. Winds were minimal and no blowing snow was observed.

As I approached the ridge line at the top of the bowl (8000ft) I was able to kick off numerous small slides. Slides were most likely caused by now buried surface hoar although I was unable to identify grains/the specific failure layer. The biggest of the slides is shown in the video below.

Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Videos:

Munchkins Zone Storm Instability 1/15/19

Snowpack Details

Persistent Weak Layers:

Buried

Terrain Details

Terrain: elevations:

Near Treeline

Below Treeline

Terrain: aspects:

Weather Details

Elevation of Observation:

6000-7000 ft.

7000 - 8000 ft.

Blowing Snow:

None

Wind Direction:

South

Wind Speed:

Calm

Sky Cover:

Overcast - Cloudy - 8/8 covered

Highest Precipitation Rate:

Moderate Snowfall (S2 = 2 cm /~1 in per hour)

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Munchkins Zone Storm Instability 1/15/19

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Munchkins Zone Storm Instability 1/15/19

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