Observation: Avalanche Professional

All Observations

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
February 26, 2023
Submitted:
February 26, 2023
Observer:
Avalanche Professional - Trevor Kostanich
Zone or Region:
Snoqualmie Pass
Location:
Alpental Valley/Snow Lake/Lower Thunder Mt (3200-4800', All Aspects)

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Obscured
Wind:
Light , W
New/Recent Snowfall:
Hst 15-20cm

Obscured in early am with moderate (S2) snowfall. After 10:30am, mostly graupel showers with skies turning overcast with moments of blue holes. Moderate wind gusts blowing snow from trees and transporting snow in open terrain and ridgelines.

Saw no recent avalanches.

Snowpack Observations

Some isolated cracking (signs of storm slab) in top 10cm in active tests on steeper slopes (30-33 degrees). Most cohesion noticed on Source Lake apron due to open terrain and timed right after higher intensity snowfall mid morning. Not noticed when descending mid afternoon.

Graupel was filling in skin track and moving downhill after stronger graupel showers midday on Thunder's lower west slopes.