Observation: NWAC Forecaster

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Weather Summary

Sunny to mostly sunny all day. There were some high clouds making their way to Rainier by the afternoon ahead of the incoming storm. Almost zero wind, even above Pan Face

Avalanche Observation Comments:

Observed multiple very small to small wet loose avalanches and plenty of rollerballs. Almost all initiated from snow shedding from trees and rocks in the morning sunshine. There was one small pile below a cornice that looked fresh'ish.

Snowpack Observations

Variable surfaces due to solar input and previous wind effect. In the morning surfaces were stiffer and some cracking was observed while skinning. I generally found 5-16cm over the Valentine's Day Crust, and hand sheers and column tests repeatably failed on a layer a few cms above the V. Day. On shady slopes, the V. Day crust was not as dense as on slopes that see direct sunshine. As the day wore on and the sun beat down, surfaces softened and became sticky. I was able to push some ripe snow on a steeper slope and get it moving a bit. As shadows started to creep back in during the afternoon, the wet and sticky surface started to stiffen up again. Slopes that don't see much sunshine on the northern part of the dial were still holding cold dry snow that could be available for transport. Weak snow surfaces were found on multiple aspects but was quickly getting worked by the sun in many areas.