Observation: NWAC Forecaster

All Observations

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
November 25, 2022
Submitted:
November 25, 2022
Observer:
NWAC Forecaster - Katie Warren
Zone or Region:
East Central
Location:
Blewett Pass (3900-4700ft primarily northern and eastern aspects)

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Media/Attachments

Thin coverage on the east facing aspect of Diamond Head.
These weak faceted grains from mid-November are moist and beginning to round.
The thin snowpack at 4700ft (North aspect) on Blewett Pass consists of moist, weak, rounding facets below a layer of moist to wet decomposing fragments and rounds.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Overcast
Temperature:
35°F
Wind:
Moderate , W
New/Recent Snowfall:
Recent storm snow from 11/22/2022 has settled to 4-7cm.

It was a very mild, humid, and overcast day at Blewett Pass and even the westerly winds were warm. The warm temperatures created wet surface snow which likely prevented wind transport despite moderate to strong ridgeline winds.

Snowpack Observations

The thin snowpack kept me traveling on forest roads from 3900-4700ft. Only a few inches of snow existed at the trailhead, but it was just enough for traveling on skis. Any slopes off of the road would have been extremely challenging to navigate.

HS @ 3900: 5"
HS @ 4700: 10"

The base of the snowpack consisted of moist, rounding facets that could easily be compressed into a snowball. A thin melt-freeze crust overlayed these mid-November facets with the recent (11/22) storm snow on top. The surface snow was a mix of wet, decomposing fragments and rounds.

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