Observation: NWAC Forecaster

All Observations

Basic Information

Observation Date:

April 2, 2023

Submitted:

April 2, 2023

Observer:

NWAC Forecaster - Dallas Glass

Zone or Region:

Snoqualmie Pass

Location:

Kendall Peak/Kendall Knob (All Aspects Near and Below Treeline (3000-5200ft) )

Recent Avalanches?

Yes

Cracking?

Isolated

Collapsing?

None Experienced

We found about 15-16 inches of storm snow over the crust in most areas.

Tilt tests are great for highlighting weaklayers in soft storm snow.

A pair of fresh small loose dry avalanches. These were likely triggered by snow shedding from the tree branches. W, 3900ft L-N-D1-R1-S

Advanced Information

Cloud Cover:

Obscured

Wind:

Light , W

New/Recent Snowfall:

Storm total (HST) 15-16 inches (~40cm), Over night snow (HN12) 4-6 inches (10-15cm)

Generally very light intermittent snow showers throughout the morning. Occasionally slightly heavier snowfall would occur, but it never really lasted too long. The winds were barely noticeable, with the snow falling almost strait down.

Avalanche Observation Comments:

The only new avalanches I found were a few small natural loose dry avalanches. They originated from very steep terrain and were likely triggered by snow shedding from tree branches.

Most of our observations today targeted the new storm snow and the 3/31 interface. We occasionally saw isolated short cracks while breaking trail on steep slopes. We were even able to trigger a few small slides on test slopes greater than 35 degrees. Often these little avalanches released on convex rollovers. While they did not propagate very widely, the did frequently run the entire length of the feature to much flatter terrain below.

Finding the weak layer culprit was a bit subtle today. Up track tests, hand pits, and small slopes would almost always fail about 1-2 inches (3-5cm) above the 3/31 crust. However, the best way we found to look at this layer was by using a shovel tilt test. There wasn't anything particularly notable about this layer, but it was very consistent event as I gained elevation and changed aspects.

While the winds were barely noticeable today, in more exposed areas near treeline, we could feel wind affected snow underneath the soft powder. Something as simple as not sinking into the new snow as deeply was the most obvious clue. In these areas we could find firmer and thicker slabs hiding underneath about 6-8 inches (15-20cm) of non-wind affected snow.

Problem	Location	Distribution	Sensitivity	Size	Comments
Storm Slab	N E S W	Isolated Specific Widespread		D1 D1.5 D2 D2.5 D3 D3.5 D4 D4.5 D5

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