Avalanche

Glacier View / Tatoosh, Mount Rainier NP

Mount Rainier National ParkWest Slopes South
View on map

Quick report

Multiple wet loose avalanche at different aspects. Observed many roller balls, roof avalanches, several wet loose avalanches that ran long distances at southern and northern aspects. Rain at the end of the recent storm is a contributing factor to the avalanche activity, adding water weight to snowpack. Other visitors observed scoured surfaces around 9000' near Anvil Rock.

Weather

Air Temp
40
Cloud Cover
broken
Wind Loading
previous
Rain Elevation
8000
Snow Avail For Transport
none

Above average temperature during the day, and above-freezing temperatures overnight. Strong ridgeline wind.

Snowpack

Low snowpack for this area with only 62 inches at the seasonal snow pole at Paradise. The recent storm this week brought between 30 & 45cm (12-17") of new snow that ended with a rapid warm-up. The warming brought rain to mid and upper elevations making the surface snow dense. Below the new snow there is a very springlike snowpack consisting of melt grains.

Avalanche

Size
D1 R1
Type
WL
Count
2
Aspect
N
Trigger
N
Elevation
6700 ft

Loose wet avalanches in numerous locations on different aspects. Melting snow from rain, unseasonably warm temperatures and sun are creating instability in the recent storm snow.