Observation: NWAC Forecaster

All Observations

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
April 17, 2022
Submitted:
April 17, 2022
Observer:
NWAC Forecaster - Katie Warren
Zone or Region:
East Central
Location:
Icicle Creek; Eightmile Road

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Media/Attachments

Clouds rolling in during the afternoon over Big Slide Mountain.
Older avalanche debris in the bottom of the Cannon Couloir.
East aspects of Mt. Cashmere.
Stuart Range
Upper elevations in the Icicle Creek drainage are still holding on to snow in the trees.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Wind:
Moderate

Cool temperatures overnight allowed surfaces to refreeze. A frosty morning to start the day quickly lead to mild temperatures that felt warm in the direct sun. However, areas in the shade felt chilly and upper elevations in the direct sun still held snow in the trees when I left at noon.

Chilly, moderate winds picked up in the afternoon, and clouds were building over the higher peaks.

Older loose avalanche debris was visible in steep northerly terrain.

Snowpack Observations

I went for a hike up Eightmile Road in the Icicle Creek drainage to look at upper elevations and observe how the sun affected the recent snow. I found 5-8 inches of snow on Eightmile road in shady locations that were still cold and dry, while areas in the sun were melted to bare ground.

A thin snowpack still exists below 4500ft, especially on southern slopes. Surprisingly, I found little evidence of wet loose avalanche activity, even on slopes baking in the direct sun.

WordPress Lightbox