Observation: NWAC Forecaster

All Observations

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
March 8, 2023
Submitted:
March 8, 2023
Observer:
NWAC Forecaster - Katie Warren
Zone or Region:
East Central
Location:
North Eastern Chiwakums (2200-4700ft; Primarily N & E aspects)

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Media/Attachments

Between 3500 and 4000ft, 30cm of recent storm snow showed a good bond with the Valentine's Crust
It was an unsettled day with periods of moderate snowfall and 10cm of new snow on the road.
The recent storm snow had some grauple precipitation particles mixed in.
A snow profile at 4700ft on a north aspect near McCue Ridge.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Obscured
Wind:
Light , E
New/Recent Snowfall:
HN24 10cm, 50-60cm recent storm snow over the Valentine's crust.

It was an unsettled weather day with mild temperatures and intermittent light to moderate snow showers throughout the day. Winds were light out of the east. The morning's high cloud deck descended during the day, and the ridge was socked in by 2 pm.

Snowpack Observations

We found around 10cm of new snow. This 10cm of snow rested over older moist snow from earlier this week at lower elevations. By 3500ft, the heavy wet snow below became dry, and we observed 30cm of recent snow over Valentine's crust. Hand shears and test slopes indicated a good bond with the crust.

A snow profile at 4700ft on a north aspect showed approximately 60cm of snow over Valentine's crust, which presented as a complex of crusts and weak snow. Snowpack tests did not produce any results on this layer. CT and Tilt Tests identified some recent interfaces, but test slopes had no notable results on these layers.

There was surprisingly little wind effect in all areas we traveled, even in wide-open terrain.