Deep Creek Drainage Observations

Location Name: 
Deep Creek
Region: 
Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area
Date and time of observation: 
Tue, 03/06/2012 - 15:00
Location Map: 
United States
39° 14' 46.392" N, 120° 14' 50.208" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

The snowpack in the Deep Creek drainage is very shallow with a weak mid to lower snowpack.  Total snow depth in this area averaging 90-140cms from 7500-8000'.

Variable results continue on our main avalanche concern for our forecast area.  We had repeatable results on CT's, CT-24 and CT-22 sudden collapse 82cms down on the faceted layer below the January crust combo.  ECT's showed that propagation was not likely but a PST showed that propagation on the weak layer was likely if initiated-see videos.  The weak layer was showing sudden collapse failure with the failure below the January crust combo.  The failure plane was very rough and uneven, this may be one of the reasons for the lack of propagation results in all of the tests.  The mid to lower snowpack is very weak, taking your skis off in this area will result in you wallowing down to almost the ground as you punch through our recent storm snow and through the very weak faceted snowpack.  

Traveling and riding conditions were greatly improved today with the new snow.  Keep in mind that the weak snowpack is still there and not going away short term.   

Photo:  Top down view of snowpack.  4'' new snow, melt freeze crust from Friday-Monday.  Storm snow from previous week, Monday-Friday.  January M/F crust, January rain crust.  Loose faceted grains 1-2mm in size.  Decomposing snow and old snow from November that was rain saturated and refrozen on the ground.

Video #1:  ECTN with no fractures in the faceted layer below the 2 crust combo from January.

Video #2:  PST 38/100 END down 82cm on a faceted layer below both the January crust layers. 

Snowpack photos: 
Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

deepcreek2012-3-6 002.avi

deepcreek2012-3-6 003.avi

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
75% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Cooling
Wind Direction: 
North
Accumulation rate: 
None
More detailed information about the weather: 

Storm ended by 1pm in this area.  Winds had already switched around moving towards east and moving snow in the higher north facing slopes.  Temps cooled into the afternoon.