Observation: NWAC Forecaster

All Observations

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
March 14, 2022
Submitted:
March 14, 2022
Observer:
NWAC Forecaster - Matt Primomo
Zone or Region:
Stevens Pass
Location:
Skyline/Moonlight (West, North and Southeast aspects up to 5,300ft)

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Media/Attachments

IFMGA Guide Olivia Race checking out the weak snow above the early March crust with a hand shear test.
Tilt tests were good at showing the poor bonding with the early March crust and weaker snow above. Blocks slid off easily with ligh tapping.
The previously faceted snow just above crust from early March became moist, but was still quite weak. This was at 5,200ft on a W aspect.
Small loose wet slide in motion. E at 5,200ft in Moonlight.
Deep snowpack over boulders at 5,000ft
Rollerballs began with warming by mid-morning.
Old growth forest.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Overcast
Wind:
Calm
New/Recent Snowfall:
At 5,200ft: HN24 5cm, HN 48 11cm, w 28cm over the early March crust.

Warming temps with noticeable sun coming through by late morning. Rain began with snow line at around 4,500ft or so by 11:30.

Avalanche Observations

 #  Date Location Size Type Bed Sfc Depth Trigger Photos Details
1 Mar 14, 2022 11:12 am
() 		Moonlight
SE 5200ft 		D1 WL-Wet Loose I-New/Old Interface AS-Skier
c-Intentional
Small loose wet slide in motion. E at 5,200ft in Moonlight.
Report
2 Mar 14, 2022
() 		Lichtenberg SE slopes
SE 5000ft 		D2 WL-Wet Loose O-Old Snow N-Natural Report
Moonlight
Lichtenberg SE slopes

Triggered rollerballs by mid-morning, then by 11 we were able to easily trigger wet loose slides on E and SE aspects below 5,200ft. Observed a couple large recent natural WL slides off larger slopes on Lichtenberg by noon. See avy occurrence entries.

Snowpack Observations

We mainly wanted to observe how the recent snow and faceted layers above the early March crust were doing. The warm temperatures of the past few days have caused the 3/8 faceted layer to become moist up around 5,300ft, though the layer is still very weak (F), and the snow above is dense and moist (4F+).
Tilt tests were good in showing the poor bond of the early March crust with weaker facets and shallow slab above- blocks would slide off easily with minimal resistance. CT's and ECT's showed resistant planar and no propagation on NW aspect at 5.2k.
No cracking where we traveled, but I suspected above 5,500ft or so that layer has remained dry, and slab avalanches may have been easy to trigger today.

Avalanche Problems

Problem Location Distribution Sensitivity Size Comments
Wet Loose
Isolated
Specific
Widespread
Unreactive
Stubborn
Reactive
Touchy
D1
D1.5
D2
D2.5
D3
D3.5
D4
D4.5
D5
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