Observation: NWAC Forecaster

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Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
December 31, 2021
Submitted:
January 1, 2022
Observer:
NWAC Forecaster - Andy Harrington
Zone or Region:
West South
Location:
Morse Creek / Crystal Lakes

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Media/Attachments

12/31/21: Morse Creek drainage
Solar input helped snow shed from trees and rocks, triggering small Dry Loose avalanches
Small natural Dry Loose avalanches Morse Creek (NE 6000')
Evidence of the wind was not hard to find. Finding actual Wind Slabs was a bit harder
Spotted a few recent slabs that were filling back in quickly. Most were in steep rocky terrain like this one and did not look to be very deep.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloudy morning with a few flurries got progressively sunnier throughout the day. Cold temperatures and only light ridgetop winds.

Observed numerous D1 Dry Loose avalanches, some of which were actively being triggered by sunshine dropping snow from trees and rocks while we were out. Spotted a few filled in crowns that looked like they were shallow soft slabs. Cornices were young and tender but not overly large where we traveled.

Snowpack Observations

The snow was rightside up over the Solstice Crust that was found 83cm below the surface. A few interstorm layers showed unimpressive breaks during compression tests and there was 30cm of new low-density snow that had fallen overnight. Overall fantastic skiing on all aspects. At the end of the day, slopes that see a lot of direct sunshine had formed the slightest suncrust.

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