Observation: NWAC Forecaster

All Observations

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
January 14, 2023
Submitted:
January 14, 2023
Observer:
NWAC Forecaster - Josh Hirshberg
Zone or Region:
East Central
Location:
Mission Ridge, Mission Peak

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Media/Attachments

Very large buried surface hoar grains (10.0-15.0mm) found 57cm below the surface. Mission Peak, NE, 6,760ft
Very large buried surface hoar grains (10.0-15.0mm) found 57cm below the surface. Mission Peak, NE, 6,760ft
Very large buried surface hoar grains (10.0-15.0mm) found 57cm below the surface. Mission Peak, NE, 6,760ft
Profile with a height of snow of 177cm. The blue card shows the Jan 4th buried surface hoar (10.0-15.0mm) ↓57cm. The Christmas crust is the next layer visible below ↓79cm. Mission Peak, NE, 6,760ft
Moderate planar tilt test results ↓17cm. Mission Peak, NE, 6,760ft
Propagatinge results with extended column on Jan 4th buried surface hoar (10.0-15.0mm). ECTP23 ↓57cm. Mission Peak, NE, 6,760ft
A wet loose avalanche gouged into a shallow snowpack on a steep road bank. Squilchuck Ck, E, 4,500ft

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Obscured
Wind:
Light , SW
New/Recent Snowfall:
1cm

Numerous small wet loose avalanches on steep road banks below 4,600ft.

Snowpack Observations

Found the Jan 4th surface hoar intact, dry, and producing propagating test results. See profile.

At 5,500ft found a mostly moist snowpack. A semi-supportive P+ hard crust capped the surface and the upper 5cm had transformed to melt forms.
At 6,400ft, the surface crust was similar, though all snow below was dry.

Profile- Mission Peak, 6758ft, NNE
HS 177cm, Boot Pen 20cm
Notable layers:
1-4cm: P hard, MF crust
38-57cm: 1F+ hard
57-59cm: F hard, Surface hoar, 10-15mm, Jan 4th
59-76cm: P hard
76-79cm: 1F hard, Rounding facets, 0.5-1.0mm
79-83cm: K-P+ hard, MF crust, Xmas crust

Tests:
Tilt Test- moderate, planar ↓17cm, ECTN11 ↓17cm
ECTP21 ↓57cm on SH
DTTN ↓76cm on Xmas crust (deep tap no results)