Observation: NWAC Observer

All Observations

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
March 18, 2022
Submitted:
March 18, 2022
Observer:
NWAC Observer - Paige Baugher
Zone or Region:
Mt Hood
Location:
Timberline Lodge (S-W-E)

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Media/Attachments

The weather was mostly clear today above 6000 feet
Some small cornice failures along the Salmon River Canyon around 6000-6200 feet
Small cornice formation and failure along the Little Zigzag Canyon
Snow pit at 7200 feet in the Big ZigZag Canyon. The 3 crusts are visible in the picture. No reactivity was observed.
Small cornice formation observed in the Big ZigZag Canyon.
Wind effect and wind loading in the West Crater Rim.
Isolated Cracking observed above a small cornice on the east facing slope of the Little ZigZag Canyon.
Snowpit at 6000 feet on SE aspect. All 3 crusts are visible. CT 12 at 2nd crust on graupel layer but no propagation was observed.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Mostly Cloudy
Temperature:
41°F
Wind:
Light , W
New/Recent Snowfall:
none

No precipitation but notable snow transport. Above 7000 feet skies were clear; a persistent could layer was observed below 7000 feet to the south. Temperatures between 6000 and 7500 feet were 40-45 degrees F. Winds were generally calm and from the west but gusty above 7000 feet to 15 mph resulting in notable snow transport.

None observed

Snowpack Observations

At 6000 feet on SE aspect 3 crusts were found - one at 5 cm below the surface, one at 25 cm below the surface and one at 65 cm below the surface. Between the crusts the snow density was relatively consistent at 1F. The 25 cm crust broke at CT 12 due to a layer of graupel above the crust but did not propagate in ECT. Cracking was observed at this elevation on convex rollovers but artificially triggered cornice failures did not result in propagation on slopes below. At 7200 feet on SE aspect the same three crusts were found. The snow density between the three crusts was consistent at 1F and no results were observed in CT. Rounding facets were observed between layers.

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