Observation: NWAC Forecaster

All Observations

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
April 12, 2022
Submitted:
April 12, 2022
Observer:
NWAC Forecaster - Dallas Glass
Zone or Region:
Snoqualmie Pass
Location:
Snoqualmie Mt (All aspects near treeline, SE-S-W below treeline)

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Media/Attachments

Snow profile in the Alpental Valley.
This shovel tilt test highlights one of several storm snow layers.
A triggered small loose dry avalanche in steep terrain.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Obscured
Wind:
Light , E
New/Recent Snowfall:
Storm Total (HST) 30" at 5000'. 24hr Total (HN24): 4-5"

Generally very light snow showers all day with accumulations of 1-3" during our tour. Winds were light and barely noticeable. Temperatures were cold, but noticeably warmer below 3500 during our return to the car just after lunchtime.

We triggered several small (D1) loose dry avalanches on very steep slopes even in treed terrain. While some of these avalanches ran well down slopes, they did not entrain much additional snow.

Snowpack Observations

Storm Snow: The storm snow still has several easy to identify layers. Some of these weaknesses failed in hand-pits and tilt tests. The most consistent was a layer of graupel about 15" (35cm) below the surface. Settlement cones are forming around many trees, showing the storm snow is starting to gain strength. The bond of the snow to the 4/8 crust varied by location. In some spots, it failed easily, while in others the bond was very good. There was no noticeable weak grains at this interface when

Wind-Affected Snow: Sharp drifts and textured surface were noticed above 5000'. Some of these slopes produced small localized cracks, but no test slopes failed. Wind loading was seen on a nearly all aspects with obvious drifts/pillows on N, E, SE, S, and SW aspects.

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