Observation: NWAC Forecaster

All Observations

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
January 9, 2022
Submitted:
January 9, 2022
Observer:
NWAC Forecaster - Irene Henninger
Zone or Region:
West North
Location:
Heather Meadows (All aspects, 4200-5100ft)

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Media/Attachments

A crown line visible on the north aspect of Video Peak in the Baker backcountry. It's tough to see but it appears much of that area ran. It occurred sometime during the several day storm (Jan 2-8)
A glide crack on Little Alaska in the Baker Backcountry
Wind textured surfaces on a south aspect at 5000ft. Slight surface timing may have occurred as well.
Debris from the large avalanche on the NE side of Huntoon Point, which ran near the north end.
South side of Table Mountain area. Tiny little rollerballs ran Sunday morning (1-9) in the first few hours that the sun hit the slope.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Clear
Temperature:
38°F
Wind:
Light , S

Intense sun and very warm temps today (forecasted freezing level 8000ft). Some areas of low density snow exist, but much of the area is already wind-textured and thick. Visible wind transport picked up on Shuksan and Video Peak around 11:00.

I was only out in the morning, and saw a lot of small rollerballs running down steep slopes on the southerly aspects. A very small wet loose avalanches was visible at the top of the south side of Table Mtn, but that was the only sign of a recent avalanche I saw while I was out.
Several old avalanches were visible, having failed sometime during the storm Jan 2-7. They were very filled in so it was difficult to determine what layer they failed on. Was unable to do any crown profiles. See photos.

Snowpack Observations

Low density surfaces (F, 4F) were present in wind-sheltered areas, while many locations had wind textured surfaces (see photo). I found 30-50cm over the Jan 6 crust. At 5000ft on a SW aspect I dug a quick pit and got a CT28PC at 35cm, 3 cm below the 1-6 crust. Other quick pits didn't produce a result near the crust. I found 20cm thick wind slabs at the surface in some spots (1F). These slabs were stubborn in hand shear tests, quick pits and on test slopes. Aside from these layers, the upper layers ranged mainly between 4F and 1F and were generally well bonded.

Snow surfaces moistened in the top 2-3cm on southerly slopes by 11. Tree bombs were frequent from about 10am. Radiation recrystallization (near surface faceting) may have occurred today on some direct steep south slopes, although I was unable to find any in the time I was out.

A glide crack was visible on Little Alaska. as well.

WordPress Lightbox