Observation: NWAC Forecaster

All Observations

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
January 14, 2022
Submitted:
January 14, 2022
Observer:
NWAC Forecaster - Matt Primomo
Zone or Region:
Stevens Pass
Location:
Stevens Pass

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Media/Attachments

Close up of runout zone of the Swath.
Upper portion of Whitepine Cirque.
Rock Mountain.
Western Wellington start zone.
Highway Chutes avy paths.
Western Wellington avy path runout.
Needle-like surface hoar growing on the crust. Henry Creek clearcuts at ~3,200ft
Runneled snow surfaces. Henry Creek Clearcuts at around 3,200ft.
Rain runnels, and surface crusts. NE aspect in Henry Creek Clearcuts at ~3,400ft.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Overcast
Wind:
Light , E

Patchy valley fog with tops around 4.5k

Avalanche Observations

 #  Date Location Size Type Bed Sfc Depth Trigger Photos Details
1 Jan 12, 2022
() 		Rock Mountain-East Camp
SE 6400ft 		D3 HS-Hard Slab 5.5ft N-Natural
Rock Mountain.
East Camp debris with a drone. WSDOT Berne Camp buildings can be seen below.
East Camp runout zone.
Report
2 Jan 12, 2022
() 		Wellington Paths
SE 5400ft 		D3 WS-Wet Slab N-Natural
Western Wellington start zone.
Western Wellington avy path runout.
Western Wellington Paths from Hwy 2 west of Stevens Pass
Report
Rock Mountain-East Camp
Wellington Paths

Evidence of widespread wet avalanche cycle from D1.5-3+ in recent days. Many of the paths that slid had run over areas that appeared to have run as dry snow avalanches, likely from the storm January 6-8.

Snowpack Observations

On a NE aspect at ~3,400ft the HS was 165cm. Water had infiltrated deep into the snowpack beneath a rain runnel and the snow was wet and saturated with large weak grains. Next to the runnel, the snow was moist with smaller grains.

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