Lawinenlagebericht

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Mon
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 4 years ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

Sunshine and warm temperatures will cause additional wet avalanches Sunday, especially in the afternoon. Cornice formations are large and overbuilt and could fall during the heat of the day. As the snowpack transitions with the ongoing spring thaw, time your day early and steer away from steep slopes where you find wet and slushy snow.  

Lawinenprobleme

  • Loose Wet

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

    A cool night should allow the snowpack to freeze and gain strength. You can expect variable snow surfaces with melt-freeze crusts in the morning. With strong sunshine and high temperatures in the 40s, snow surfaces will quickly thaw and become wet on all aspects by mid-day. Loose wet activity has been ongoing since Thursday, with widespread rollerballs and small avalanches on most sun-exposed slopes in adjacent zones. These active conditions look to continue through the weekend, and there is some uncertainty as to how the snowpack will respond. If you see wet slides gouging into old snow layers or widespread activity above treeline, call it a day and head home early. In addition to wet avalanches, expect snow to simply fall down and shed off trees, rocks, and cliffs. When you encounter wet, punchy snow, choose lower angle terrain or move to shady slopes to reduce your risk. 

    Example: Human triggered loose wet avalanches on a steep sunny slope.

    Photo: Dallas Glass

  • Cornices

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

    Storms throughout the past week left thick slabs of wind drifted snow on lee slopes. Even more concerning are the heavy and precarious cornices that formed along upper elevation ridgelines. Cornices right now may be larger and more overhung than we have seen all winter. If they fall they could act as huge triggers on slopes below and pull out slabs several feet thick. Avoid overhead exposure to cornices whenever possible, particularly during the heat of the day. Use great care on ridge crests to stay on solid ground, well away from the root of the cornice.

    Steer away from cornices like these

Avalanche Discussion

After weeks of wintery weather and ongoing snowfall, spring has finally returned. The mountains are seeing higher temperatures and more sunshine each day, and the snowpack is going through a significant transition. The focus is on wet snow issues for the weekend, but you may still encounter isolated wind slabs high in the alpine. Cornices may also fall, so give these features a wide berth both from above and below.

Access into areas of the East South with a consistent snowpack has been challenging recently, and direct observations from the zone are limited. Make snowpack observations as you travel and choose conservative terrain if you find conditions you did not anticipate. Use extra caution at lower elevations where obstacles may be lurking just under the snow surface, and creek holes may be drifted over or hidden.

This is NWAC’s last daily avalanche forecast for the 2021-2022 winter season. Mountain Weather Forecasts will continue until May 1. Make sure to check our Spring Avalanche Statement for information and travel advice. NWAC will continue to track snow and weather conditions. Large storms and/or widespread avalanche cycles may cause us to issue special avalanche bulletins, avalanche warnings, or other spring statements to keep you informed.  You can help your backcountry community by continuing to submit observations of avalanches, snow, and pertinent weather to our site.  Have a fun and safe spring recreating in the mountains!

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