Observation: NWAC Forecaster

All Observations

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
January 9, 2022
Submitted:
January 9, 2022
Observer:
NWAC Forecaster - Matt Primomo and Josh Hirshberg
Zone or Region:
East Central
Location:
Entiat

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Media/Attachments

Profile on an East aspect at 800ft above the Columbia. Very weak snow can be found right at the ground.
Cupped depth hoar on a 2mm grid.
Very wide avalanche on a north aspect at 2,200ft.
Bighorn crossing a debris pile in Swakane Canyon.
Loose slides on steep slopes above Wenatchee.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Clear

Cool temps with a light N breeze coming down the river valley. Previous transport, but not current.

Avalanche Observations

 #  Date Location Size Type Bed Sfc Depth Trigger Photos Details
1 Jan 8, 2022
() 		Hwy 97A south of Entiat
SE 2300ft 		D2.5 WL-Wet Loose G-Ground N-Natural
Debris from a natural D2.5 wet avalanche south of Entiat that likely ran on Jan 8th
A natural D2.5 wet avalanche south of Entiat that likely ran on Jan 8th
A natural D2.5 wet avalanche south of Entiat that likely ran on Jan 8th
Report
1 Jan 7, 2022
() 		Entiat
NE 1800ft 		D2 SS-Soft Slab O-Old Snow 1ft N-Natural
A natural slab avalanche in the town of Entiat that likely ran on Jan 7th. NE, 1,800ft
A natural slab avalanche in the town of Entiat that likely ran on Jan 7th. NE, 1,800ft
Report
1 Jan 6, 2022 4:30 am
() 		10600 97A, south of Entiat
E 2600ft 		D2.5
R3 		SS-Soft Slab G-Ground 1.5ft N-Natural
Profile adjacent to site where house was hit.
Looking up the path
House location
Debris had been cleared out, but some is still left against the house, and on the far roof.
Debris with small trees and shrubs from the front driveway.
Path side view from Hwy 97A
Upper bowl
lower, steep NE facing feature
Details of the crown in the mid-start zone, just below the band of trees. This avalanche hit a house on Highway 97A on Jan 6th. NE, 1,880
An avalanche ran through much of the extent of this path and hit the house in the runout, just above Highway 97A on Jan 6th. NE-SE, 2,800ft
Report
Hwy 97A south of Entiat
Entiat
10600 97A, south of Entiat

Widespread avalanche cycle in the foothills with many D2-2.5's. Some crowns were very wide

Snowpack Observations

East aspect at 800ft above the Columbia, the HS was 36cm. Most of the snow on the ground was decomposing fragments from the recent storm.
There was a stiffer layer of rounded snow just above the base, which was weaker depth hoar.
Compression tests were repeatedly failing upon isolation, 7cm above the ground on 3mm depth hoar cups.

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