Observation Date: 12/24/2011

Route/Location:
Morrell Lookout, Supernatural, Chads Shoulder

Weather:
Dec 24. cloudy calm during the day, patchy light snow on and off, clearing overnight with very strong wind gusts
Dec 25 sunny clear calm, some wind on ridge tops
Dec 26 patchy clouds, light winds

Wind:

New Snow: 3-6″

Snow DensityThe mass of snow per unit volume, but often expressed as a percent water content. New fallen powder has a low densityThe mass of snow per unit volume, but often expressed as a percent water content. New fallen powder has a low density (3-10%), while heavy or wet snow is more dense (10-20%). (3-10%), while heavy or wet snow is more dense (10-20%).: Medium

Avalanche Activity:
east/ norh east, 34-36 degrees, 7500 ft, cloudy calm light snow, CT14-Q3 40cm down on buried surface hoarFeathery crystals that form on the snow surface during clear and calm conditions - essentially frozen dewFeathery crystals that form on the snow surface during clear and calm conditions - essentially frozen dew. Forms a persistent weak layerA snowpack layer with less strength than adjacent layers. Often the layer in the snowpack where an avalanche fractures. once buried.. Forms a persistent weak layerA snowpack layer with less strength than adjacent layers. Often the layer in the snowpack where an avalanche fractures. once buried..
southerly, 10-12in to crustA crust is a hard layer of snow where liquid water has refrozen into grain fabric. Crusts usually result from sun, rain or wind. to sugar

some rollerballs on south aspectThe compass direction a slope faces i.e. North, South, East, West. on xmas day,

Observed Danger Rating:

Other Comments:
continue to keep an eye on suface hoar, especially as new snow comes in. noaa predicts a fair amount of new snow tues 27th -thursday 29th in the Morrell Area

Observer: carl sievers