Observation: NWAC Forecaster

All Observations

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
April 1, 2022
Submitted:
April 1, 2022
Observer:
NWAC Forecaster - Dallas Glass
Zone or Region:
Snoqualmie Pass
Location:
Snoqualmie Mt, Thunder Creek, Avalanche Mt, Snow Lake, Source Lake (All Aspects Near and Below Treeling)

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
Yes
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced

Media/Attachments

Large dripping cornices still overhang many alpine slopes.
More and more creeks continue to open at the Pass. Some of them are running fast and deep.
Rollerballs from the new snow on a steep SW slope at 4900'.
Very small loose wet avalanche and piles of rollerballs were prevalent on steep sunny slopes.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Partly Cloudy
Temperature:
38°F
Wind:
Calm
New/Recent Snowfall:
Storm snow from 3/30: 4" at 4000' with 6-8" around 5000'

Low clouds in the morning with cold temperatures. Clouds lifted and broke, with plenty of sunshine, particularly at mid and upper elevations. Temperatures warmed significantly around lunchtime.

Avalanche Observations

 #  Date Location Size Type Bed Sfc Depth Trigger Photos Details
1 Mar 31, 2022
() 		Bryant Peak Couloir
E 5000ft 		D2 WS-Wet Slab U-Unknown
A large natural avalanche from the Byrant Peak Couloir. This slide likely released as a spring shed from the looker's righthand cliffs. E, 5000'
Looking down on the avalanche debris from Bryant Peak Couloir above Source Lake. E, 5000'
Report
Bryant Peak Couloir

Most avalanches were very small loose wet slides or piles of rollerballs from Thursday afternoon and Friday morning.

Snowpack Observations

On sunny aspects, the recent snow has become moist to wet due to warm temperatures and sunshine. It was well bonded to the 3/30 crust. While you can still discern the new snow from the old melt forms, it was integrating well, and a new surface crust was forming,

On Northerly slopes, 6-8" (15-20cm) of recent snow was generally well bonded to the 3/30 crust. Thin melt-freeze crusts and layers of graupel were seen in this snow. These layers failed in some tests, but did not seem to pose a risk as slabs were only a few inches deep.

On all aspects, below the strengthening 3/30 crust, wet large grained spring-like snow (melt forms) were observed. You could even see the "blue" hue due to all the water still in the upper snowpack.

While the mountains went through a decent spring shed cycle last week, plenty of snow still hangs on cliffs and large drippy cornices loom over some slopes. There's still more snow to fall down during warm and sunny weather.

At lower elevations, the snowpack is well transformed to spring conditions. Creeks are opening. Some of them are running deep and fast. There wasn't enough new snow to pose much of a risk from Loose Wet Avalanches.

Avalanche Problems

Problem Location Distribution Sensitivity Size Comments
Wet Loose
Isolated
Specific
Widespread
Unreactive
Stubborn
Reactive
Touchy
D1
D1.5
D2
D2.5
D3
D3.5
D4
D4.5
D5
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