Observation: NWAC Forecaster

All Observations

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
February 4, 2022
Submitted:
February 4, 2022
Observer:
NWAC Forecaster - Dallas Glass
Zone or Region:
West South
Location:
Tatoosh Range: The Castle (W-N-E near and below treeline)

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Media/Attachments

This small wind loaded pocket failed as the skier passed above it. Similar small wind slabs were seen throughout the terrain.
New sharp cornices and building wind slabs below.
Blowing snow and wind textured surfaces indicate wind slabs could be nearby.
Just over a foot of recent strom snow (35cm) sits above the 1/30 interface. In some locations this interface is a very strong crust, in others it's a facet/crust sandwich. W, 5800', The Castle, Tatoosh Range.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Overcast
Wind:
Moderate , NW
New/Recent Snowfall:
Feb 3rd: 1-2"

Generally overcast skies all day. Moderate winds with occasional strong gusts. Temperatures were cold in the morning but seemed to warm significantly as the day went. Precip started around 2pm with sleet quickly turning to snow.

No new avalanches were seen. Several older avalanches from early January are still evident including a large deep slab and separate glide avalanche on Pinnacle Pk.

Snowpack Observations

Variable was our word for today. A marked difference occurs around 5500-6000' where the affects of the wind significantly increase.

Below 6000': 12-15" (30-37cm) of recent snow sits over the 1/30 interface. The Late January facet-crust sandwich was found on many shaded slopes. This included SE aspects that do not receive direct sunshine because of shading from nearby terrain. In general, this layer involved a very thin and breakable crust above 1-3" (2-10cm) of 1-1.5mm facets. It was really easy to find this layer with our hands, poles, and probes. On more sunny slopes, the 1/30 interface is simply a very firm and thick crust.

Above 6000': Icy, breakable crust, wind textured surfaces, and pockets of soft snow. The wind has created lots of small-scale variability. In many locations that entailed scouring the slopes down to the 1/30 icy melt-freeze crust or Late January facet-crust sandwich. Small pockets of wind-loaded snow were found on many NE-E aspects. When they failed, they were 3-6" deep and only propagated 10-15' wide. These little wind slabs were actively building today with winds ranging from SW-NW.

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