Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Lawinenprobleme

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  Persistent Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Hochgebirge
  • Waldgrenze
  • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze

  Wahrscheinlichkeit

  Possible

  Größe

  1.5–3

  Weak snow from January lies 2-3 feet below  the snow's surface. Though this weak layer has gained strength with time, triggering a large and widely propagating avalanche remains possible, especially in very steep terrain above about 8,000'.  You couldn't find better evidence for this than the observation from Prater Canyon yesterday. Three people were were partially buried, one to the chest, below a relatively small slope.

  This problem continues to deserve respect, especially in high consequence terrain and places where the slab may be thin enough for the weight of a person or sled to hit the weak layer. There may not be a warning sign bfore triggering this layer as the slab above has grown stiff and stubborn.

  Cornice Fall: Large triggers such as a falling cornice could trigger a larger avalanche. While unlikely, it's a good idea to give cornices some space.

  

• 

  Wind Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Hochgebirge
  • Waldgrenze
  • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze

  Wahrscheinlichkeit

  Possible

  Größe

  1–2

  Around 6 inches of snow fell over the past week.  During this time, winds were relatively light. Souhwest winds have ramped up to 45-50 mph  in the past 12 hours,  and will continue at similar speeds through the day, potentially ripping  up ice crusts and accessing loose snow beneath.  Any loose snow will build wind slabs. Look for signs of wind transported snow like drifts or large pillows.