Lawinenlagebericht

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Tue
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
2 · Mässig
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 5 years ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

A few inches of snow falling during the day and moderate wind will slowly increase the avalanche danger. Search for signs of newly transported stiffer snow, and avoid those patches on steep slopes. Cloud cover and continued warm temperatures could contribute to small wet avalanches at lower elevations.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–1.5

    The snowpack is rapidly settling and strengthening with the warm temperatures. Thicker slabs are evident on the surface, especially at upper elevations. They were mainly 6-10 inches deep, and many of the slabs found on Sunday were unreactive. 

    Remain alert for wind slabs at higher elevations, and monitor slab development as snow falls throughout the day, possibly increasing their size and reactivity. Search for active signs of wind depositing snow onto slopes, such as along ridgelines, below cornices, and on leeward sides of terrain features. Feel for thicker, heavier deposits of snow under your feet. Avoid slopes greater than 35 degrees in these areas. 

    Textured snow surfaces are good indicators of wind-affected snow and possible wind slabs.  Photo: Irene Henninger

  • Loose Wet

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–1.5

    Sunday we saw a high freezing level and intense sun. Small wet loose avalanches probably ran on the southern half of the compass, as they were reported in the neighboring West North Zone. A thin crust will have formed on those aspects overnight. 

    Cloud cover and a slightly lower freezing level on Monday (wavering in the 5000ft range) means that our wet snow problem will probably remain at lower elevations, but it could span the entire way around the compass, especially affecting low density previously dry snow on more northerly aspects. As you're out on Monday,  check slopes around you to see if any rollerballs are running down. Search for signs of heavy, wet snow. Avoid steep slopes if you notice any of these signs nearby.

Avalanche Discussion

A D4 (very large) avalanche was reported in the Snoqualmie Pass zone, running about 1500 vertical feet and clearing a large swath of old trees. It is unknown when or what layer the avalanche failed on.  As this occurred in a neighboring zone, keep it in the back of your mind if you're thinking of heading onto large upper elevation slopes in the West Central Zone. Limited information is known about conditions in the West Central Zone at this time.  If you get out, submit an OBSERVATION so we can create a better forecast for you. 

A large storm came to a close on Saturday, with several feet of snow deposited throughout the zone. We’re now entering a smaller period of unsettled weather. The snowpack changed a lot lately, and is continuing to evolve extensively every day. Stay alert when you head into the backcountry as there is a lot of uncertainty with varying conditions spanning this very large zone.

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