Lawinenlagebericht

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

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

Kernpunkte

Some level of avalanche danger can still be encountered in backcountry travel. You could find small slabs of wind-drifted snow at upper elevations. Sunbreaks and near-freezing temperatiures can still produce small wet avalanches. Stay tuned into weather conditions and don’t overlook the few places you could trigger or be caught in an avalanche.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

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

    West Central likely received the most new snow in the last week. Observers reported minimal wind slab formation on Thursday but also found up to 6" of dry snow at mid-elevations. Where there is dry snow to drift and wind in the weather forecast, there is a greater chance of finding and triggering a wind slab.

    Wind slabs should be small and shallow but still big enough to take you for a ride if you are not paying attention. You are most likely to find these in the alpine, but don’t let down your guard at mid-elevations as well. Blowing and drifting snow can show you which aspects are loading up. If the wind isn’t blowing, look for signs of wind effect like scoured snow surfaces, freshly wind-drifted snow features like mini-cornices, and fat, smooth-looking slabs.

    (1/5/2024)

    Look for places where you can test wind-loaded features and assess stability before moving into steep, consequential terrain.

    Photo: Andy Harrington

Avalanche Discussion

Moderate temperatures and new snow mean you could see or trigger small wet avalanches, especially on slopes that warm up with sunbreaks. Limit travel on or directly under steep slopes seeing direct sun or where you see active signs of instability like rollerballs or small avalanches.

Danger from cornice fall and cliffs shedding snow will continue through the spring until all the snow falls down. One cornice in West North has already shed a few times this spring, including during a period of cooler temperatures this week.  Minimize time spent below sketchy-looking cornices and glide slabs hanging on in steep terrain.

Observers in West Central found anywhere from 2-6" of new snow at mid-elevations. The amount of wind-affected snow varied, with only minor amounts observed around Hwy 2 versus lots of wind scouring at upper elevations farther north.  No reactive wind slabs were found in either location.  About 4" of wet new snow and extensive rollerball activity were reported at low and mid-elevations on Eldorado in North Cascades National Park.

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