Winds Slabs on Avi Gully "Munchkins"

Location Name: 
Avi Gully "Munchkins"
Region: 
Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 12/06/2017 - 12:31
Location Map: 
United States
39° 9' 58.3344" N, 120° 13' 4.116" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Public
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Less than 30cm snow below 7500' 

HS 85cm @ 7950'

Breakable wind crust near and above tree line in most locations. 

On some of these test slopes / wind slabs a "hollow" noise / whumphing was heard. 

Protected areas near tree line had 10-25cm of unconsoldated snow on top of knife hard rain crust. 

 

 

Snowpack photos: 
Any other comments about the observation or links to outside pages that have more info on the observation: 

Quick tour to the top of Avi Gully today to look for wind slabs / overall coverage in area. Below 7500' less than 1 ft of snow existed with lots of exposure and obstacles.  

Notable observation from today : small wind slabs existing on  N / NE aspects. Ski cuts and test slopes produced several failures ranging in depth and width. One ski cut on a 32 degree slope triggered a 8 inch slab that was approximately 10 ft. Wide and ran for 75 ft. 

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Wind Direction: 
East
Accumulation rate: 
None
More detailed information about the weather: 

Continued light - moderate east winds today.