Observation: Public
Observation Details
Name:
Andrew KieferObservation Date:
December 18, 2020Submitted:
December 18, 2020Zone or Region:
West NorthActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
Heather Meadows/Swift CreekObserved Avalanches
Did you observe any avalanches?
YesAvalanche Type:
Soft SlabSize:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to peopleElevation:
4300-5000ftAspect:
NComments:
A handful of shallow natural and skier-triggered avalanches failed within the most recent storm/wind-drifted snow today.Photo:
Signs of Unstable Snow
Did you see shooting cracks?
Yes, IsolatedDid you experience collapsing or whumpfing?
NoObservations
Avalanche hazard increased throughout the day with additional snow and strong southerly winds. Over 40in/100cm of recent storm snow sits atop a firm crust (12/9). Interstorm layers down 6in/15cm and 12in/30cm are the primary culprits in recent avalanche activity over the past 24hrs, which has mostly been small (D1) although poor visibility limited observations. Snowpack tests produced resistant planar fractures and no propagation. The recent storm snow appears uniform with a favorable hardness profile (F-1F). Below the 12/9 crust, the snowpack is consolidated and strong. Continuous snow begins around 2500ft with a significant increase in the height of snow near 4000ft.
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