Observation: NWAC Forecaster

All Observations

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
November 20, 2022
Submitted:
November 20, 2022
Observer:
NWAC Forecaster - Dallas Glass
Zone or Region:
West South
Location:
Paradise Area (E-S-NW, Near and Above Treeline)

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Media/Attachments

Scoured icy areas and wind textured snow exist on many slopes.
Wind textured snow below Panorama Point.
Wind affected snow extends from near the parking lot to well above treeline. This has exposed numerous rocks on exposed ridges.
Low snow cover continues to be the primary concern.
Faceting snow in a sheltered location near treeline.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Mostly Sunny
Temperature:
38°F
Wind:
Calm
New/Recent Snowfall:
No new snow.

Beautiful day! Cool in the morning with warming temperatures as the clouds cleared and the sunshine increased. Calm winds.

No new avalanches observed. I did find one very old slide on a SE aspect at 7100' near Panorama Point. This slab avalanche appeared to be about a foot deep and only ran 30 vertical feet.

Snowpack Observations

Constant snow cover started around 4800' but was very thin. Deeper snow began just below Paradise around 5300'. Snow depths varied greatly but were typically 2-3 ft (60-85cm), low 6" (15cm), high 50" (125cm). Low snowcover and exposed obstacles posed the greatest risk to the day.

The snowpack was highly variable due to several recent strong wind events from a variety of directions. This has left some slopes scoured down to an icy melt-forms layer created by the heavy rain on 11/4. These very firm slippery areas exist on both exposed E and W aspects. Wind textured snow (sastrugi) was evident in many locations. SImilar to the scoured slopes, these features indicated strong winds from both the SW-W and E.

Soft snow continues to linger in very few protected locations. At these sites, the upper soft snow has weakened (faceted). Just how much the upper snowpack has weakened varied by location.

On steep southerly slopes, warm afternoon temperatures and plenty of sunshine caused the snow surface to go through several melt-freeze cycles. These surfaces softened my early afternoon, but only inlocations not scoured to the old icy layers by the wind.

To sum up the snowpack: variable. Varible in depth, variable snow surfaces, and variable structure.

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