Observation: NWAC Forecaster

All Observations

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
January 5, 2022
Submitted:
January 5, 2022
Observer:
NWAC Forecaster - Katie Warren
Zone or Region:
East Central
Location:
Salmon La Sac Creek (2300-3000ft West Aspects)

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
None Observed
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced

Media/Attachments

Snow profile from lower elevations in the Salmon La Sac drainage shows a freezing rain crust from the Solstice ↓ 87cm.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Overcast
Temperature:
33°F
Wind:
Calm
New/Recent Snowfall:
HN24 20cm

Experienced the warmest temperatures in quite a while, but the snow surface remained dry. Cloudy skies and calm winds in the morning with light snowfall beginning around 11am

Snowpack Observations

Traveled into the lower elevations in the Salmon La Sac drainage to take a look at the state of the snowpack before the warm wet storm takes it's toll.

Dug on a west aspect at 3000ft.
HS129

Other than a resistant planer fracture on a recent storm interface ↓ 20cm, there were no remarkable results or concerns in the new snow. The Solstice crust in this location presents as a freezing rain crust ↓ 87cm, there is 2cm of 1-1.5mm rounding facets above this crust. While compression tests did not produce any results on this layer for us on Wednesday, it could become a problem with the incoming warm temperatures and rain in the forecast for Wednesday night and Thursday.

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