Observation: NWAC Forecaster

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Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
April 10, 2022
Submitted:
April 10, 2022
Observer:
NWAC Forecaster - Katie Warren
Zone or Region:
East Central
Location:
Icicle Creek (2200-4000ft west aspects)

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Media/Attachments

Notice the small dry loose avalanche in the most prominent gully in the middle left of the photo. Likely ran during peak precipitation rates earlier in the day.
During a break in the moody weather, I caught a glimpse of upper Rat Creek drainage.
Craggy steep terrain in lower Rat Creek.
A few inches of snow dusted Valley bottom in Icicle Canyon
After blue skies mid morning, clouds and snowfall moved back into the Icicle drainage.
The peaks of the Enchantments stayed mostly shrouded in clouds during the day.
Moderate to heavy snowfall during the early afternoon.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

New/Recent Snowfall:
HST 2-5 inches; increasing with elevation

It was a complex weather day. First, I experienced blue skies with warm sun, then moderate to heavy snowfall, and back to sun again in just a few hours. Winds were calm below ridgeline.

One small dry-loose avalanche ran in very steep terrain near Rat Creek.

Snowpack Observations

Unfortunately, the warm, dry weather earlier in the winter has melted out lower elevations making access to higher terrain with a more robust snowpack difficult and lengthy. I was surprised to find a couple of inches of snow in the valley and had planned to venture into the Icicle Ridge area to look at snow totals and any recent wind loading or wind slab avalanches.

The dusting of snow thwarted my plans, made trail travel slippery and slow, and the moody weather kept the higher peaks shrouded in clouds. Observations were challenging to come by, although I caught a glimpse of a small dry loose avalanche in the Rat Creek area. The day reminded me of a first Fall snowstorm.

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