Observation: NWAC Forecaster

All Observations

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
November 25, 2022
Submitted:
November 25, 2022
Observer:
NWAC Forecaster - Dallas Glass
Zone or Region:
West South
Location:
Crystal Mt, Silver Basin area (4400-6700', NW-SE aspects)

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Media/Attachments

Early season conditions still exist with plenty of exposed creeks, rocks, and trees that could ruin your season.
While we could easily find the recent storm interfaces in the snowpack, we did not find any signficant weak layers in this location. Overall the snowpack appeared strong and well settled.
The snowpack was impressively consistent with decent coverage at upper elevations. However, plenty of exposed rocks and tress still exist.
We spent some time digging today looking for the buried facets and surface hoar reported in other zones. However, we didn't find it.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Obscured
Temperature:
32°F
Wind:
Light , W
New/Recent Snowfall:
Trace

Broken skies in the morning quickly became overcast and obscured. Precip (graupel) started around 1130 with a noticeable drop in temperature. Snowfall continued through the day even while we left the field around 2pm. We did not encounter any rain. Snowlevel was at or just below Crystal Base (4400') around 1pm, and around 3500' by 2pm. Winds were only really noticeable on the ridgeling.

No avalanches were observed.

Snowpack Observations

While consistent snow can be found above ~4000 ft, the snowpack at lower elevations is very thin and burned off on many steep sunny slopes. The snowpack significantly increases around 5400 where more than 2 ft (65-70cm) covers the ground. We consistently found 3 ft (85-95cm) above 6000 ft. While there were still plenty of exposed obstacles, the well-consolidated snowpack has generally covered the terrain well, with reasonably easy travel conditions above 5500 ft.

At mid and upper elevations, 6-8 in (15-20cm) of snow from Tuesday capped a stout but thin rain crust. This new storm snow had become moist and sticky during Thanksgiving Day's warm temperatures.

While we could easily find prominent interfaces at the base of the recent snow (11/22) and from a rain even in early November (11/4), the snowpack appeared to be very strong and well-settled. We did not encounter any buried weak snow during our travels.

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