Raining and above freezing temps
Recent avalanches as documented in yesterday's ob (12-11-17)
Observation: Turnagain
Location: Road Obs - Turnagain Pass
Drove through Turnagain Pass around 2pm and visibility was poor. Temps were above freezing and it was raining at the Pass, but could see a little new snow stuck to the trees around ~1500′. Didn’t notice any new debris in the mid elevation band. The snow is melting quickly along the road. On the South side of the Pass near Sunburst dirt is showing and only ~9 inches at Snowmo lot.
I added a few photos at the bottom taken yesterday of recent avalanches on Sunburst N. aspect and a photo of the South face of Tincan, where no avalanche activity has been observed yet.
Observer Comments
Weather
Rain showers - heavier near portage and light rain on S. side near Johnson Pass
Easterly ridgetop winds 20-30mph at Seattle Ridge Wx Station
Temps at 1000'= 35F
Temps at 2400'=29F
Snow surface
Wet saturated snow
Snowpack
9" of wet snow at Motorized lot (see photos)
0-3" of wet snow on S. side of Pass
Creek thawing out at Tincan
View of Seattle Ridge and snow coverage
Snow coverage at Sunburst Parking lot
Bare ground can be seen on South side of Turnagain Pass across the street from Sunburst parking lot
Debris from recent avalanches on the West face of Pyramid.
Photo take yesterday (12-11-17) of recent avalanche debris on North aspect of Sunburst
Photo taken yesterday (12-11-17) of South face of Tincan - no recent avalanche seen on this aspect.