Observation: NWAC Forecaster
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
April 11, 2022Submitted:
April 11, 2022Observer:
NWAC Forecaster - Lee LazzaraZone or Region:
West NorthLocation:
Table Mt. (4200' > 5200' all aspects)Signs of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
YesCracking?
IsolatedCollapsing?
IsolatedAdvanced Information
Weather Summary
Cloud Cover:
Partly CloudyWind:
Moderate , NENew/Recent Snowfall:
Tr" out of wind affected terrainGusty NE winds diminished mid-morning at treeline but stayed strong in the alpine. Lots of visible wind transport. Warming on solar aspects kept in check by wind but left field at midday . . . .
Avalanche Observations
| # | Date | Location | Size | Type | Bed Sfc | Depth | Trigger | Photos | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Apr 11, 2022 10:00 am () |
Shuksan NW 7600ft |
D2.5 R2 |
HS-Hard Slab | N-Natural |
|
Report |
Snowpack Observations
At treeline there is 30cm of wind-loaded snow over the melt-freeze crust on leeward slopes. Many windward slopes are scoured down to the crust. At lower and mid-elevations, the storm snow from early April has mostly transitioned to a mix of melt-freeze crusts, melt forms, and moist rounded grains, Test slopes and other tests produced mixed results with some being quite reactive while others would not even produce cracking. Cold, settled powder is still found on northerly slopes, but many start zones have crust just below the surface.
Avalanche Problems
| Problem | Location | Distribution | Sensitivity | Size | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wind Slab
|
|
Comments: Reactivity varied from unreactive to reactive on similar slopes. D2.5 on Shuksan an outlier? NTL wind loading not likely to reach D2. |