Lawinenlagebericht

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
Auf der Karte ansehen

Lawinengefahr

Fri
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
2 · Mässig
Open full map
Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 3 years ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

The mountains are stuck in a mild, wet weather pattern. You could trigger both wet and dry avalanches depending on your elevation. Slides will be most likely on very steep slopes, near convex rollovers, and in unsupported terrain.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Several days of oscillating temperatures and precipitation formed a variety of storm-weak layers in the upper snowpack. Typically, these layers heal pretty quickly. Not surprisingly, you’ll be most likely to trigger slabs in the most recent 24hrs or so of new snow (~6inches). In a few isolated pockets, avalanches could release on earlier storm layers, particularly when they overlay a firm crust. Small slopes and hand pits, can help highlight potential weakness in all this recent storm snow.

    In these situations, it’s often about the feature rather than bigger slopes. Think about places you're more likely to trigger a slab: convexities, very steep areas, wind-loaded terrain, the base of cliffs, and unsupported slopes. Be leery of these spots, especially if terrain traps like trees, rocks, cliffs, and creeks are present.

    (1/11/2024)

    Example: A small storm slab triggered on a convex rollover. 

    Photo: Matt Primomo

  • Loose Wet

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

    Near and below the rain line, expect wet, sticky, heavy snow. You might trigger wet avalanches that run like a river of concrete. While these slides seem predictable and easy to manage, they can take you wherever they want if you get caught. That includes over a cliff or into a creek. 

    If you’re sinking past your ankle into wet, soggy snow, then it can slide. Use extra caution on steeper slopes where these point releases could originate. At the lowest elevations, several days of rain might have allowed the wet cycle to run its course. 

    These same warm temperatures can cause other types of wet avalanche issues, like snow shedding from rocky faces or entire slopes gliding on smooth bed surfaces. Pay attention to what’s above you, and limit your time under steep rocky terrain.

    (1/4/2024)

    Example: Wet loose avalanches traveling on drier snow below from earlier this year. 

    Photo: Dallas Glass

Avalanche Discussion

Things are starting to feel a bit like Ground Hog Day this week. Mild temperatures, slight changes in the snow levels, and a bit of precipitation… none of which are enough to really drive much of a hazard, but won’t let the danger fully drop. Thursday should follow this pattern, with the chance for another 6-8 inches of snow and slightly cooler temperatures. 

Information from the West Central zone is limited, but weather stations suggested another 4-6 inches of snow on Wednesday, with snow levels hovering between 4000 and 5000ft. In most zones, the recent rain has only affected the upper few inches of the snowpack. Below the surface, the snowpack remains cold, dry, and layered down to the 12/30 crust. We haven’t heard of avalanches on any interfaces/crust from January in the West Central zone. However, snowpack information is a bit scarce, and there’s plenty of uncertainty at middle and upper elevations.

Abgedeckte Regionen