Observation: NWAC Forecaster

All Observations

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
January 31, 2022
Submitted:
January 31, 2022
Observer:
NWAC Forecaster - Andrew Kiefer
Zone or Region:
Mt Hood
Location:
Lookout Mountain (3400-6500ft, all aspects)

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Media/Attachments

Profile near the top of Lookout Mountain with 4in (10cm) new snow well bonded to the January 30 interface which presented as a knife hard ice crust. Below were alternating layers of melt-freeze crusts, facets, and refrozen polycrystals. No notable results in tests.
Shovel-tilt tests identified a hardness change in the new snow with 2in of 4F hard snow sitting on 2in of F hard snow. This inter-storm layer produced resistant planar fractures in tests.
Westerly winds blowing snow at ridgetop, scouring down to the hard, icy old snow surface and loading a NE aspect.
You can still feel and see the old snow surfaces in many areas, barely hidden beneath just a few inches of wind-affected snow below treeline.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Obscured
Temperature:
20°F
Wind:
Strong , W
New/Recent Snowfall:
4-6in

4-6in new snow above 5000ft, 1-3in below. Light to moderate snowfall during the morning hours and gusty westerly winds near and above treeline. Exited the field by noon.

Snowpack Observations

New snow appears to be bonding well to the old snow surface (Jan 30). No recent avalanches observed, and no cracking on test slopes. Within new and wind drifted snow, there was an inter-storm layer that produced resistant planar fractures in shovel-tilt tests and hand pits. Many windward slopes and exposed areas were scoured down to old icy snow surfaces. Some slippery travel in places, but overall the new snow significantly improved riding conditions.

Avalanche Problems

Problem Location Distribution Sensitivity Size Comments
Wind Slab
Isolated
Specific
Widespread
Unreactive
Stubborn
Reactive
Touchy
D1
D1.5
D2
D2.5
D3
D3.5
D4
D4.5
D5
 Layer Depth/Date: Jan 30
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