Lawinenlagebericht

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
Auf der Karte ansehen

Lawinengefahr

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

The few inches of new snow shouldn’t pose too much of a hazard. However, you could trigger small slabs or sloughs in steeper terrain. Don’t let one of these tiny avalanches push you over a cliff or into rocks and trees.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Most of the new snow from this storm should be right-side-up and generally well-bonded to the underlying crust. However, you may still trigger small slides within the new snow. Some may be loose, and others could propagate short distances. You’re most likely to trigger an avalanche on very steep slopes, convex rollovers, unsupported terrain, and locations affected by the wind. 

    Use hand pits, uptrack tests, and small slopes to see how the snow reacts. These shallow storm snow problems are perfect for these quick, “moving” style observations. 

    Since we’re talking about small avalanches, pay particular attention to the consequences of any slope. Cliffs, tree fences, creeks, and gullies can all magnify the impacts of even the tiniest avalanche.

Avalanche Discussion

The southerly flow from this storm doesn’t favor the Stevens Pass. Even still, several inches could accumulate at middle and upper elevations Friday night and early Saturday morning. Falling temperatures and light winds should limit slab formation to only a few isolated areas. In places where the new snow falls on a warm, moist surface, it should stick. If the new snow accumulates on a firm slick curst (like what you may find at higher elevations), it may slide off easily. 

Near and below the rain-snow line, you may find wet punchy snow. These lowest elevations have been through a lot over the past week, and it’s hard to imagine any significant avalanche hazard. However, you may push tiny wet loose slides on very steep slopes or see a blob of snow fall off a cliff or rocky face. 

An NWAC forecaster on Skyline Ridge Friday reported a supportable crust in open areas at most elevations. This layer was softer and more variable down low and in the trees. As this new crust grows stronger, it will reduce our concern about older persistent weak layers deep in the snowpack. At this point, we think an avalanche failing on or just above the Early February Crust would be very unlikely. If you were to encounter this problem, it would probably take a large trigger and/or occur in higher-elevation terrain in the eastern portion of the zone. 

We’re at the tail end of a prolonged warm period. Numerous wet avalanches occurred throughout the zone. You’ll probably find piles of debris and frozen rollerballs on and just below many steep slopes, regardless of aspect and elevation.

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