Whumpf and test slope watson lake

Location Name: 
near watson lake
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 01/22/2017 - 14:15
Location Map: 
United States
39° 13' 25.3416" N, 120° 7' 44.7744" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
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: 

Snomwobile cut a test slope on a micro freature with no consequence, or exposure, it was a convex roll N-NE aspect.  Near Tree line,  feature was about 35 degres and 5-10 feet high.  Upon second pass a 12" crown released,  propagation of 15 feet,  slide moved 5 feet down the hill.  Slope did exactly what we though it would.  Activity matched the advisory.   20 minutes later snowmobile dug a profile trench about 5 feet deep, upon driving out of hole, large whumph with several inches of settelment movement around the group of 3 riders.  N-NE aspect below tree line.  

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

The storm was not as intense as forcasted, there were a few breaks in the clouds from noon to 2pm, intermitant winds, and light to heavy snow.