Professional Observation
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
January 19, 2022Submitted:
January 19, 2022Observer:
WAC - CalebZone or Region:
Southern WallowasLocation:
Western Wallowas: Flagstaff ButteSigns of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
None ObservedCracking?
None ExperiencedCollapsing?
None ExperiencedSnow Stability
Stability Rating:
GoodConfidence in Rating:
HighStability Trend:
SteadyBottom Line
Low avalanche danger was observed with a generally stable snowpack. Although no facets were found above or below the 1/6 Rain Crust, it should be a layer to track into the future and we may see failure at this layer once a load is added to the snowpack.
Media
Advanced Information
Weather Summary
Cloud Cover:
Mostly CloudyTemperature:
-3 cWind:
Light , SW1/2 in. of new snow overnight. Mostly Cloudy skies. Light SW wind. No snow being transported.
Avalanche Observations
None
Snowpack Observations
The snowpack in this location was generally strong. At this location, the 1/6 Rain Crust is about 4"/10cm from the surface. I did not see any weak faceted snow around this crust, however I did see some melt forms associated with the recent warm temperatures. I conducted a compression test and results included Resistant Planar results on the layer below the 1/6 Rain Crust as well as on an interface that includes 3 mm graupel snow at a hardness change in the snowpack 16"/40cm below the surface.
