Lawinenlagebericht

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

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

The avalanche danger is moderate, so it's possible to trigger a slab avalanche even though signs may not be as obvious as they've been in the previous few days. Focus on identifying steep, wind-loaded features, and steer around these slopes on Wednesday. Active wind loading will likely occur throughout the day, and you may find these smaller new slabs reactive, but there are also older slabs one to two feet deep that you may still be able to trigger an avalanche on as well. 

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

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

    We received several reports of natural slab avalanches which mainly occurred in the early morning hours on Tuesday as the storm was winding down. A human-triggered avalanche was reported on The Arm in the Baker backcountry around midday. They were caught, carried, and deployed their airbag. Not much additional information is known. These slab avalanches are probably becoming more difficult to trigger, and it might be tougher than in previous days to find clues indicating a slope is unstable, but we don't expect that the avalanche problem will have fully gone away overnight.

    Steep, wind-loaded locations below ridgelines, around rock outcroppings, in gullies, and on convex slopes are where you're most likely to find these slabs. They may be hidden under a smooth coating of snow that hasn't been wind affected. In addition to the older slabs, which may be a foot or more deep, wind could build shallower new slabs during the day Wednesday. These newer slabs will likely be more reactive. You may see active wind drifting occurring, which is a good clue to use in deciding what areas you want to avoid. If you trigger a smaller, shallower slab, it could be enough weight to step down and trigger a deeper slab avalanche. Steer clear of steep, wind loaded terrain on Wednesday. 

    (1/10/2023) This human-triggered slab avalanche occurred just outside the Mt Baker Ski Area boundary. Don't forget that when you leave the boundary, slopes are no longer mitigated. If you see recent avalanches (red flags) there's a good chance another avalanche could occur on a similar nearby slope.  Photo: Adam Ü

Avalanche Discussion

The sun expectedly came out in full force on Tuesday, and wet loose avalanches became a problem. An observation from a backcountry traveler in the Baker backcountry Tuesday found an abundance of wet loose avalanches and slab avalanches, which you can read about HERE. Expect steep, south-facing slopes to have a crust early in the day. We don't think wet loose avalanches will be as much of a concern today, as we've already seen one day of warming, and incoming clouds will likely dissipate the sun's intensity as the day progresses. 

Monday night the Baker area received a little over a foot of snow, and the previous night slightly lesser amounts of snow fell. Temperatures have been relatively warm, so lower elevation have seen rain. This low elevation snow has mainly firmed up and transformed through several melt freeze cycles and rain events. Higher up, wind slabs have been our major concern this week. Monday we saw obvious active wind loading and most people avoided steep, wind loaded slopes. Although the signs may be more subtle, continue to investigate and use caution when approaching steep terrain on Wednesday. 

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