Observation: NWAC Forecaster
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
January 2, 2022Submitted:
January 2, 2022Observer:
NWAC Forecaster - Matt PrimomoZone or Region:
East CentralLocation:
Lower Cashmere (SE-NE 2,000-3,750)Signs of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
None ObservedCracking?
None ExperiencedCollapsing?
None ExperiencedMedia/Attachments
Advanced Information
Weather Summary
Cloud Cover:
OvercastVery cold temperatures, light breeze. No blowing snow observed this AM, but previous drifting visible at higher elevations.
Avalanche Observations
| # | Date | Location | Size | Type | Bed Sfc | Depth | Trigger | Photos | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Dec 30, 2021 () |
Big Slide Peak SE 7400ft |
D2 | SS-Soft Slab | 1.5ft | N-Natural |
|
Report |
D2 windslab suspected to have occurred around December 30th observed off a heavily windloaded area beneath a cornice on Big Slide Peak. See avy ob.
Snowpack Observations
Weak snow surfaces abound. Very beautiful large stellars (3-6mm+) in size were showing faceted growth. Very large surface hoar (up to 30mm) was observed laying flat, but covering snow surfaces in a high density fashion around bushes and trees. Much of these feathers formed while on the plants, but then fell off, a strange and interesting thing that resembles a deck of cards sitting atop the snow. The skiing was very fast, and fun due to the sharp, angular grains...
On steep SE aspects there was about 10cm of this weak snow covering a thin sun crust from 12/29. In some shaded slopes there was old, stiff wind slab underneath the weaker snow. Wind slab was also resting on faceted grains, though didn't have much energy.
Snowpack is still fairly shallow, some 50cm-80cm deep in the area, and we did find faceted grains near the base, though these were not super weak where we looked.