Observation: NWAC Forecaster

All Observations

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
December 22, 2021
Submitted:
December 22, 2021
Observer:
NWAC Forecaster - Andy Harrington
Zone or Region:
Snoqualmie Pass
Location:
Kendall

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
Yes
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced

Media/Attachments

Wet debris from 12/21 running over a track used by skiers and snowshoers
Lower elevations took a bit of a beating from the 12/21 warmup. This made for some tricky travel conditions at times.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Broken skies in the morning and no wind to speak of. Around noon some flurries started before showers became more consistent and a light breeze kicked up.

Plenty of evidence of yesterday's warm-up with wet debris, freezing rain-coated surfaces, and lots of treebombs. Saw some textured surfaces but couldn't get any test slopes to pop and couldn't find a Wind Slab.

Snowpack Observations

The surface snow was changing throughout the day as temperatures dropped. Snow that was easy to entrain with your ski pole or hand pits earlier in the day slowly became lighter. Below ~5000' the snow is much heavier and the effects of yesterday's warmup are much more pronounced with a nasty breakable crust. At upper elevations, around 10cm sat above the 12/21 crust and the 12/18 crust was found 38cm down and was boot supportable.

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