Observation: NWAC Forecaster
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
December 19, 2021Submitted:
December 19, 2021Observer:
NWAC Forecaster - Dallas GlassZone or Region:
West SouthLocation:
Crystal Backcountry: Bullion, Union, Pickhandle (All Aspects Near and Below Treeling)Signs of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
None ObservedCracking?
None ExperiencedCollapsing?
None ExperiencedMedia/Attachments
Advanced Information
Weather Summary
Cloud Cover:
Partly CloudyWind:
Light , ENew/Recent Snowfall:
4" of snow from Saturday evening/night.Overcast skies quickly cleared to the north but remained overcast to the south. Light E winds pushed low-level clouds into valleys that drained east of the crest. Cool temperatures.
The only avalanches we observed today were small loose dry avalanches in very steep terrain.
Snowpack Observations
A ~3-4" (8-10cm) rain crust formed on Saturday to about 5700'. Above this elevation, instead of a crust, we found firm snow that fell during those warm temperatures. 4-5" (10-12cm) of snow fell after the cool down with minimal wind affect. This snow bonded well to the crust and wet snow below. Hand pits did find several storm snow interfaces evident. However, snowpack tests and small slope tests did not produce any failures.
Snowpack depths still vary with aspect and elevations. At about 6000' 4-5' (120-150cm) exist on N aspects, while 2-2.5' (60-75cm) sits on more southerly slopes.
Evidence of wind transported snow was observed in very wind prone areas along ridgelines. In many locations wind loading occurred onto more eW facing terrain. We noted 2 natural cornice collapse from Saturday, one of which triggered a small (D1) loose dry.
Avalanche Problems
| Problem | Location | Distribution | Sensitivity | Size | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wind Slab
|
|
Comments: Wind slabs were at the front of our mind. They seemed to be isolated to more wind prone areas at mid and upper elevations. |