Observation: NWAC Forecaster

All Observations

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
February 3, 2023
Submitted:
February 3, 2023
Observer:
NWAC Forecaster - Joe Dellaporta
Zone or Region:
Mt Hood
Location:
Tilly Jane

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Media/Attachments

Snow and wind ramped up at 10 AM
Looking into the stripped aspects of Polallie Canyon.
Bare ground and shallow conditions exist below 4500 ft in the Tilly Jane area.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Overcast
Temperature:
30°F
Wind:
Moderate , S
New/Recent Snowfall:
HN: Trace-1 in

At 10 am precipitation and SSW winds ramped up. Any new snow that fell during my tour actively drifted.

Snowpack Observations

I went out to track surfaces before the snowier regime.

I found a melt-freeze crust on most exposed slopes and some softer settled powder on shaded/sheltered (N-NE) aspects. Below 4500, shallow conditions exist with bare ground exposed on south aspects.

At 6200 ft on a NE aspect I observed an HS of 230 cm. I did find some near-surface facets sitting on a thin crust from 1/27, however weak snow sitting on the MLK crust was what really caught my eye. At this location the MLK crust was 45 cm down and had some 1 mm rounding-facets above and below the crust. I was able to get results in compression tests (CT25, RP), but it didn't show the ability to propagate in ECT's. That said, this will be a layer to continue to watch going forward on these more shaded, higher elevation aspects.

Overall, near-surface facets are not as widespread as I initially thought on this side. However, new snow will be falling on variety of slick crusts.