Observation: NWAC Forecaster

All Observations

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
February 5, 2023
Submitted:
February 5, 2023
Observer:
NWAC Forecaster - Andy Harrington
Zone or Region:
Snoqualmie Pass
Location:
Mt. Margaret

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Media/Attachments

Blocks failing during an uptrack test in a wind-drifted pocket.
Similar layers to what we have seen recently at the Pass proper. None of them are screaming at us, but some were highlighted during snowpack tests.
Visibility was poor, but we found some fresh cornices and older cornices. None of them were huge, but a few were sensitive.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

New/Recent Snowfall:
HST was around 15-20cm at upper elevations

Poor visibility all day. Noticed a slight flurry just after 9:00. By 10:00, it was snowing more consistently. Snow showers throughout the morning, that is until we dropped down in elevation and found that it was raining below ~4000'. A few gusts up near the ridgeline, but we were sheltered in the trees most of the day.

No new avalanches observed

Snowpack Observations

It was another wet and soggy day at lower elevations at Snoqualmie Pass. Although I started the day dry, I finished it soaked as rain and wet trees got me on the ski back to the car.

There was a striking difference in the moisture content of the snow starting around 4200'. Wet and gloppy snow below this elevation was close to being pushable on steeper slopes to create wet avalanches. We did see some rollerballs, pinwheels, and loose wet debris from Saturday. There may have been some new ones on our descent. At the lowest elevations, there are lots of natural hazards still, but coverage was adequate.

Above 4200', the snow was much drier but still contained hints of moisture until we got closer to 4800'. Digging a pit near the top of Margaret, I found a similar snowpack structure to what I have been seeing closer to the Pass proper. Multiple interfaces above the MLK crust, some of which show up in snowpack tests, but none seem to be too scary at this time. The most consistent failure I was getting was on a midstorm layer down 14cm (CT14, shovel shear, shovel tilt). I also got some results on the 1/27 (CT26).

Hand shears along the trip highlighted the same layer down 14cm but were resistant and not very planar.

Cornices, while not huge, were building and some were fresh. I was also able to stomp on some wind pillows and get them to crack and fail, sliding easily on the crust below.

It was nice to run into some sledders and have a chat about their experiences and how the area has changed over the last 20 years. Sounds like it used to be a lot better skiing way back then.

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