Observation: NWAC Observer
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
December 17, 2021Submitted:
December 17, 2021Observer:
NWAC Observer - Robin PenderyZone or Region:
Snoqualmie PassLocation:
Snoqualmie Mountain (Below tree line and near tree line, S/SW)Signs of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
None ObservedCracking?
None ExperiencedCollapsing?
None ExperiencedAdvanced Information
Weather Summary
Cloud Cover:
ObscuredWind:
Light , ENew/Recent Snowfall:
1-3 inches HN24 above a very thin crust on solar aspectsValley fog up to 5,500 ft for the entire day.
Snowpack Observations
Overall we found settled storm snow with good stability below and near treeline, from 3,100 ft up to 5,200 ft.
On solar aspects at 5,000 ft, the average height of snow was 150 cms. Many of the north-facing lines we had considered skiing did not have sufficient snow yet to be worthwhile. Many small trees still need to be covered.
Small test slopes did not produce any results. We observed wind-textured snow but were unable to intentionally trigger any small wind slabs.
At 5,000 ft, we were able to identify several storm layers from the last week. These layers were generally unreactive to tests. In the upper snowpack, recent storm snow has settled and is more cohesive than earlier in the week, but the snowpack remains right side up.