| Recent Avalanches? | Yes |
| Collapsing (Whumphing)? | No |
| Cracking (Shooting cracks)? | No |
Observation: Turnagain
Location: Tincan
Standard up-track to 2500′ on Tincan. The visibility improved throughout the day. We were able to see the evidence of the natural avalanche cycle from the storm and checked out where the sustained winds have moved the snow. The loading patterns including cornice growth, pillowed snow and small wind features throughout the terrain were accentuated again in this last event.
Obvious signs of instability
Observer Comments
Active wind loading and evidence of wind slabs from yesterday's storm (D1-D2.5). Some larger debris piles from the paths off of Seattle Ridge. A few of those ran almost into the flats where sledders ride on storm days. This is a good reminder to remember what is above on those HIGH danger days. There was one wet slab (D2) that ran to the ground near the turn to Johnson Pass. We also observed a small wind slab on Petes South.
Weather
Broken trending to scattered skies
Winds were moderate and gusty, strong enough to move snow, decreasing in the afternoon
Temperature was 32F at the truck @1000', in the mid 20Fs @ Treeline 2500'
One very brief period of a few snowflakes falling
Snow surface
1000-1600': 1-3" of new snow over saturated snow.
1600-2500': 4-8" of new snow over progressively drier (as elevation was gained) snow beneath.
Snowpack
There was nothing of note in the snowpack. The new snow is bonding well to the surfaces below. There was no shearing in any hand pits, on test slopes or skin track cuts. No cracking or whumpfing or slab like conditions observed on the tour.
A quick pit at 2200' showed right side up storm snow bonded to the previous storm snow. Average HS in that area was 200cm. No results in stability tests.
Average snow depth at 1000' was 165 cm.
Seattle Ridge avalanches, note the debris runout distances
Wind transport at the ridge line
Debris from Seattle Ridge
Cornice along CFR Ridge and above Common Bowl, small cornice release on the left.
Wet Slab
Wet Slab from another angle
Rain runnels
wind moving snow