Observation: NWAC Forecaster
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
March 21, 2023Submitted:
March 21, 2023Observer:
NWAC Forecaster - Dallas GlassZone or Region:
West SouthLocation:
Crystal backcountry: East Peak, Cement Basin, Lake Basin (All Aspects Near and Below Treeling)Signs of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
YesCracking?
IsolatedCollapsing?
None ExperiencedMedia/Attachments
Advanced Information
Weather Summary
Cloud Cover:
OvercastWind:
Moderate , ENew/Recent Snowfall:
New Snow (HN24): 1-3 in (3-7cm)Clouds quickly rolled in at the start of my day and really limited visibility. Overcast and obscured skies persisted until after I left the mountains at around lunchtime. E winds were stronger than expected and were easily blowing snow right near ridgecrest.
There were a few old loose wet avalanches on E-S-W aspects up to D1.5. The nearly all originated in rocky terrain. The debris was covered by the new snow, so they all occurred Sat, Sun, and/or Mon.
Snowpack Observations
Wind: The E winds were blowing snow and forming small shallow slabs and sharp cornices near the ridgecrest. In this area, the modest new snow totals really limited the slab size to only small pockets. However, they triggered easily on test slopes and produced cracks in drifts. Slabs were typically ~4" (10cm) thick and broke 5-10ft wide.
A stout crust (4-6in/ 10-15cm thick) was found on E-S-W aspects at all elevations and on all aspects below about 5500ft. This crust was always ski supportable and occasionally boot supportable. The new snow was poorly bonded to the crust.
In shaded terrain above 5500ft, softer dry snow was found.
While I could still see many of the recent layers in the upper snowpack, they did not produce any significant test results in my snow profile area. The upper snowpack was generally well settled and strong.
Avalanche Problems
| Problem | Location | Distribution | Sensitivity | Size | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wind Slab
|
|