Observation: NWAC Observer

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Weather Summary

Sunny and warm with a few clouds, no precipitation, little wind transport. Temperatures were above freezing at 10,000 feet around noon today (1-3 degrees C)

Avalanche Observation Comments:

One very small wet loose slide was observed on a sw facing slope high in the crater.

Snowpack Observations

From about 8500 feet to 10,500 feet there was a thin (0.5-1 cm) breakable surface melt/freeze crust and surface rime. Much of this crust melted during the sunny, warm day. At 10,000 feet a 10 cm thick ice crust was found 10 cm below the snow surface. A thin layer of facets was found underneath this crust but the crust appeared to be bonding well to the snow below. The snow above 9000 feet is generally very solid and hard. However, the snow softened throughout the day. Two falls were observed into snow-covered glide cracks around 10,000 feet and both fumaroles are open. Rime/ice fall was observed starting at 10:15 am from the upper mountain and was steady throughout the day. Most of this was surface rime but some large pieces of ice and rime were falling high from the crater rim.

Avalanche Problems

Even though no consequential wet slides were observed, the above freezing temperatures and solar radiation are softening the snow. A small cornice failure was observed at 6500 feet.