Long's Canyon

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Location Name: 
Long's Canyon
Region: 
Long Canyon Area
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 11/25/2019 - 12:21
Location Map: 
United States
36° 37' 18.012" N, 105° 27' 45.2772" W
See map: Google Maps
US


Red Flags: 
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Observation made by: Public
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

We went to Long Canyon today to check out that drainage and see what was happening on higher elevation East aspects.  With last three days of sun and high pressure the snow is really starting to settle out from the 11/20 - 11/22 storm.  Solar aspects where taking heat from our southern sun down here in New Mexico with sun crusts froming on solar aspects.  Near surface faceting was observed on North and East aspects.  Long Canyon had a very different snowpack than what we were finding in the Williams Lake Drainage.  A lot less snow, and we were getting a lot less whumpfing and collapsing with the lack of basal facets on the ground on mostly east aspects. Where the new snow fell on the bare ground we are not observing a weak layer.

With new snow in the forecast tonight, the new snow will be falling on a variety of surfaces from sun crusts, to near surface facets and small wind slabs in the alpine.

Photo 1: Snowpack at 12,000 on an East aspect in Long Canyon. No basal facet layer

Photo 2: Photo from before the 11/20 - 11/22 storm of Long Canyon. There is a lack of connectivity of facets.  Snow was only lingering on North Aspects

Photo 3: Sun crust on a southern aspect at 10,000'

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
None
More detailed information about the weather: 

We did observe some plumes of snow being transported on the higher peaks just at ridgetops throughout the day.  Very much a warming trend but temperatures didn't reach above freezing all day.  Our strong southern sun made it feel warmer than it was.