1/8 1300: clear, cold; N/NE wind to 20mph+ above 3000', spindrift streamers from peaks, ridges.
1/9 1300: clear, cold, calm.
1/10 1300: clear, cold; strong (30mph+?), gusty N wind above tree line.
Observation: Chugach State Park
Location: Mt Magnificent / Eagle River
Natural avalanche on SW face of Mt Magnificent following 1/8 N winds (sometime between 1400 1/8 and 1200 1/9). Estimate starting elevation around 3800′, ran to maybe 3300′. Some hoar-namented powder on N aspects below 3k’ escaped the maelstrom. Until… After a calm 1/9, winds kicked up stronger on 1/10 and converted the remainder to sastrugi and exposed tundra.
A few smaller naturals were also visible on similar aspects near ridgetops along N side of Eagle River valley.
Weather
Snow surface
The works.
Snowpack
Hugely variable on N slopes, wind loaded S slopes near ridgetops. No pits or test.
Natural avalanche, Mt Magnificent, 1-9-2020