Observation: NWAC Forecaster

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Weather Summary

Skies were generally obscured by low clouds with sun breaks/sucker holes providing views around the valley. Light snow showers were intermittent in the morning hours. As we exited the field, it seemed as if temperatures bumped up a little.

Avalanche Observation Comments:

We observed multiple small natural avalanches from the storm on 11/29-11/30. Many appeared to be dry loose shedding type avalanches from trees and rocks, with fan-shaped avalanche debris. But we also noticed at least 5 small slab avalanches on or below rocky features. Most of these avalanches were covered with fresh snow, helping to indicate their age.

Snowpack Observations

We found a HS of 65 inches (165cm) at Source Lake with 34" (86cm) HST over the 11/27 interface MFcr. The storm snow was generally rightside up, and small column tests helped highlight some of these density breaks. We were generally unimpressed with these test results. On top of the 11/27, we did find some graupel, but it was unreactive in small column tests. The lower snowpack is a series of crusts and rounding grains. Below one of these crusts we found some very small rounding facets but they were unimpressive in our stability tests.

Generally speaking, there is a lot of new snow, even in the BTL, but early-season hazards are still not put to bed. If anything, the holes down into creeks or near boulders have become more dangerous from a mountain travel perspective. Conditions may be different as you ascend in elevation, but we didn't make it up there today.