Lawinenlagebericht

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Sat
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
1 · Gering
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 3 years ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

It remains possible for you to trigger an avalanche in wind drifted snow on Friday. Blowing snow should be quite obvious, but also look for textured surfaces or slopes that look ‘fat’ to help you identify slopes of concern. Don’t pull the avalanche dragon's tail any harder if you notice shooting cracks or hear snow that sounds hollow like a drum.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

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

    The wind slabs that formed after our recent storm on the 29th are likely becoming more stubborn to trigger, but not impossible. You’ll likely encounter the largest and most problematic slabs of drifted snow lurking at upper elevations. Wind directions have changed quite a bit over the last 24 hours, so don’t be complacent as you switch aspects. Look for these slabs all over the compass. Suspect any slopes that look ‘fat’ or surface that appears rounded as guilty until you can reason otherwise. Typical spots you can find these wind drifted slabs are at the base of cliffs, on the downwind side of ridges, or below fresh cornices. Pump the brakes and avoid steep, loaded aspects if you observe shooting cracks under your machine/feet or notice snow that sounds hollow like a drum. You can simply avoid this problem by sticking to more sheltered slopes or scoured surfaces.

    (3/6/2023)

    Seek out lower angle terrain or more sheltered slopes if you notice shooting cracks under your feet or machine. 

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

Friday is shaping up to be a transition day before a potent storm takes aim at the west slopes and passes. Look for rising wind speeds and increasing shower activity (especially closer to the crest) as the day progresses. This incoming storm isn’t forecasted to favor the east slopes of the cascades. Although, we should still pick up some of the leftovers come Saturday when post frontal showers send some precipitation towards the east south. 

At mid and upper elevations, a deep and layered winter snowpack exists. If you dig down, you will find older layers of melt-freeze crusts from around Christmas, MLK, and Valentine's day. These layers are not a concern for avalanches at this time but are a reminder that we have not transitioned to a spring snowpack quite yet. For more information about the deeper snowpack, check out Katie’s observation from Ahtanum Meadows this past week.

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