Observation: NWAC Forecaster

All Observations

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
January 21, 2022
Submitted:
January 21, 2022
Observer:
NWAC Forecaster - Matt Primomo
Zone or Region:
Stevens Pass
Location:
Stevens Pass- Xmas Bowl (NW,N,NE,SE,S 4000-5,600ft)

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
None Observed
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced

Media/Attachments

Lightly wind textured surfaces near a ridgetop.
D3 wet slab avalanche from 1/12. Fresh rollerballs observed to the right.
Cowboy Mtn
Wet slab avalanche, likely from 1/12. NW at 4,800ft above Mill Creek.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Partly Cloudy
Wind:
Moderate
New/Recent Snowfall:
15-25cm

Cool temps in the morning were made cooler with a breeze. Warmer in the sun and outside of windy areas. Low clouds developed over the west side of the Cascades during the day, and enveloped the pass by 3pm.

Most of the recent activity I observed were rollerballs, and not actual wet loose avalanches. There was one D1 wet loose slide off the south side of Cowboy Mtn.

Snowpack Observations

Most of the time the dense new snow and crust below was frozen enough to support skis (ski pen ~10cm), but sometimes I would sink in a bit deeper into the older wet snow.
The storm layer was very well bonded to the old snow interface, which was a thin refrozen crust in most areas. Weaker, wet grains were underneath this crust.
On a NE aspect at 5,400ft, storm total was 23cm. Tilt tests showed planar fractures with moderate force 15cm down, which was where the drier storm snow sat over moist storm snow.
Wind drifting caused uneven distribution of the storm snow on many exposed, open slopes. Wind stiffened snow up to 1F hardness were observed on a steep north facing slope. There was no reactivity of the wind stiffened snow with ample attempts to create fractures on a variety of slopes.
I was able to get large rollerballs on a steep SE facing slope at around 12pm.

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