Observation: NWAC Forecaster

All Observations

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
January 15, 2023
Submitted:
January 15, 2023
Observer:
NWAC Forecaster - Dallas Glass
Zone or Region:
Snoqualmie Pass
Location:
Commonwealth Basin/Kendall Peak (All Aspects Near and Below Treeline (3000-5000ft) )

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Media/Attachments

Wet snow layers near the surface. WNW, 4900f.
Snow profile on Kendall Peak, WNW 4900ft. Snow depth: 175cm
This is the type of terrain where blocks of snow may still fall on you. Don't linger underneath them,

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Overcast
Temperature:
33°F
Wind:
Light , E
New/Recent Snowfall:
New snow: 1/2in (1cm-2cm)

Generally, overcast skies with a few sunbreaks. Periods of light snow started around 11am, but not real accumulation. Winds were light to moderate in open areas above 5000ft with light blowing snow. Snow level was around 4000ft

Avalanche Observations

 #  Date Location Size Type Bed Sfc Depth Trigger Photos Details
4 Jan 12, 2023
() 		Waterfall Bluffs Kendall Peak
W 4000ft 		D1 WL-Wet Loose N-Natural
Wet avalanche debris below the waterfall cliff in Commonwealth Basin.
Report
1 Jan 12, 2023
() 		Kendall Peak-Avy Swath
SW 5400ft 		D2
R2 		WS-Wet Slab N-Natural
A large wet slab avalanche near the Avy Swath on Kendall Peak. SW 5600ft, WS-N-D2-R2-U. Likely from 1/12-13 cycle
Report
8 Jan 15, 2023
() 		W Face of Kendall Peak
W 5400ft 		D2.5
R2 		WS-Wet Slab N-Natural
Wet avalanche debris on the NW and W faces of Kendall Pk. Several of these slides were D2.5 and ran low in the valley. Likely from the 1/12-13 cycle.
A very large wet slab avalanche on the W Face of Kendall. W, 5600ft, WS-N-D2.5-R2-U, likely from the 1/12-13 cycle.
A very large wet slab avalanche on the W Face of Kendall. W, 5600ft, WS-N-D2.5-R2-U, likely from the 1/12-13 cycle.
A very large wet slab avalanche on the W Face of Kendall. W, 5600ft, WS-N-D2.5-R2-U, likely from the 1/12-13 cycle.
A very large wet slab avalanches on the W Face of Kendall. W, 5600ft, WS-N-D2.5-R2-U, likely from the 1/12-13 cycle.
A very large wet slab avalanches on the W Face of Kendall. W, 5600ft, WS-N-D2.5-R2-U, likely from the 1/12-13 cycle.
A very large wet slab avalanche on the W Face of Kendall. W, 5600ft, WS-N-D2.5-R2-U, likely from the 1/12-13 cycle.
Report
1 Jan 12, 2023
() 		Lundin Peak
SW 5600ft 		D2.5
R2 		WS-Wet Slab N-Natural
A wide wet slab avalanche below the summit pyramid on Lundin Peak and wet debris in the Cocaine Couloir. Sw, 5600ft.
Report
3 Jan 12, 2023
() 		Snoqualmie Mt
SE 5800ft 		D1.5
R2 		WS-Wet Slab N-Natural Report
1 Jan 12, 2023
() 		Cave Ridge
E 5000ft 		D1
R2 		WS-Wet Slab N-Natural
A small wet slab on Cave Ridge. E, 5000ft. WS-N-D1-R1-U. Likely from the 1/12-13 cycle.
A small wet slab avalanche on Cave Ridge, E, 5000ft
Report
3 Jan 12, 2023
() 		Guye Peak
E 4600ft 		D1
R2 		WS-Wet Slab N-Natural Report
Waterfall Bluffs Kendall Peak
Kendall Peak-Avy Swath
W Face of Kendall Peak
Lundin Peak
Snoqualmie Mt
Cave Ridge
Guye Peak

We observed many small wet slab avalanches from the Jan 12-13 cycle in the upper below treeline and near treeline bands. The largest slides were on Lundin and the W Face of Kendall Peak, where we observed several D2.5 avalanches. No new slides were seen.

Snowpack Observations

Below 3500ft: The snow surface was still wet and unfrozen at lower elevations. Boot pen reached down to the Christmas Crust (~15-20in).

Above 3500ft, a new surface crust is forming. Today it was 3-4 in (8-10cm) thick and breakable.

New snow had accumulated above ~4000ft with about 1/2in (1-2cm) over the crust.

Winds at mid-elevations were blowing the new snow around, but minimal new drifts were seen.

Where we dug in the snow, the upper 6-8in (15-20cm) of the snowpack appears to have seen water and developed melt form grains. Below this, dry snow still exists above the Christmas Crust (24in/60cm down). Snowpack tests did consistently fail on a layer about 1ft (30cm) below the surface, but we could not identify any meaningful snow grains at this interface. This could be the 1/4 layer seen in other zones.

Avalanche Problems

Problem Location Distribution Sensitivity Size Comments
Glide
Isolated
Specific
Widespread
Unreactive
Stubborn
Reactive
Touchy
D1
D1.5
D2
D2.5
D3
D3.5
D4
D4.5
D5
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