Lawinenlagebericht

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Mon
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Kernpunkte

You can still trigger avalanches in pockets of wind drifted snow on Sunday. Some slabs could trigger easily and break widely if they fail on weak snow just above a stout crust. Don't let a surprising avalanche ruin your day, so carefully evaluate each slope and default to simple terrain out of the wind if you notice obvious signs of instability. 

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–2

    Minimal new weather inputs are likely helping wind slabs gain strength and become more stubborn to trigger. However, this may not be true if they rest over weak snow above a slick crust. In this case, the resulting avalanche could break wider than expected and grow large. Due to recent east winds, don't be surprised if you find these slabs all over the compass on Saturday. Look for these slabs as you change aspects, especially in areas that promote drifting, such as the downwind sides of ridges, beneath rock and cliff bands, or on the breakover of unsupported features. 

    To avoid this problem, stick to more sheltered slopes and avoid travel on terrain steeper than 35 degrees if the surface snow appears wind textured and drifted. Take a big step back if you notice shooting cracks or hear whumphs. 

    (2/16/2024) Photo: Max Bednarski

    A skier triggered this avalanche on Friday on a southern aspect at 5500ft in the Teanaway area. Notice the textured surface indicating wind-transported snow. 

Avalanche Discussion

This is a benign weather pattern for the eastern mountains. We don't expect much precipitation; instead, look for a slight warming trend accompanied by a wind direction shift to the west. 

The recent storm on 2/15 deposited 10-12 inches of low density new snow across the zone. In much of the region, this new snow now sits over a weak snowpack just above the early February crust. Observers region-wide, including in an NWAC forecaster in the Darland Mt area on Thursday, are finding weak, junky snow just above the stout EFC crust. This weak snow has already produced avalanches in neighboring zones ( observation here).

In most places, this new snow lacks the slab-like characteristics to produce an avalanche. However, you'll likely encounter this slab in wind loaded terrain or in areas where the sun and warmer temperatures stiffened up the recent snow. These slabs may not be that big but could be large enough to ruin your day if they fail on well-developed facets over a crust. 

Expect very thin (or even non-existent) snowpacks at lower elevations and on some steep southerly slopes. Unfortunately, we're still talking about travel hazards. Slick crusts, exposed obstacles, open creeks, and bare ground continue to make travel more adventurous. While this storm was a welcome refresh, it's probably still best to use established roads and groomed trails for better access to the high country. 

Your avalanche, snowpack, or weather observations are extremely valuable to the avalanche community. Help create a more accurate avalanche forecast by submitting your observations here. 

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