Lawinenlagebericht

Bitterroot

West Central Montana Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Mon
Hochgebirge
3 · Erheblich
Waldgrenze
4 · Gross
Unterhalb
3 · Erheblich
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Kernpunkte

Avalanche danger will continue to rise today as the rain/snow line climbs to 7000' by afternoon. 

Natural wet snow avalanches are very likely on all aspects. Larger wet slab avalanches have potential to run down into areas not normally associated with avalanches like trails or roads. 

The big variable today is how high the rain/snow line climbs. If it stays low, expect dense storm slabs at mid and upper elevation instead of wet snow.

Today is not the day to be in avalanche terrain. Be aware what slopes are above you and stay out from under steep terrain. 

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wet Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    2–3

    The biggest concern for dangerous wet snow avalanches today is in mid elevation terrain.  These areas have 4-5 feet of snow with multiple weak layers buried within the snowpack which are likely to become saturated with water today.

    On aspects with a buried crust, rainwater could move through the snowpack and pool on top of the crust. On north aspects, buried surface hoar and near surface facets will become saturated with water and rapidly loaded with the additional water weight of wet snow above them. In both scenarios, natural wet slab avalanches will be possible. 

    Be aware what terrain is above you avoid any avalanche start zones between 5000' and 7000'. 

    Note: While we don't usually assign wet slab and wet loose in an overlapping pattern, the key point today is the specific locations for wet slabs and the different sizes these avalanches will produce.

  • Loose Wet

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Very Likely
    Größe
    1–2

    Widespread wet loose avalanches are very likely today. Rain on snow will cause the snow at the surface to lose strength and avalanche naturally in steep terrain. 

    The size of these avalanchs will be determined by the size of the terrain and the length of the runout. A small avalanche in a large path has the time to fan out and grow into a D2+ avalanche in size. In smaller terrain or shorter avalanche paths, avalanche size will likely be limited to D1 or D2. 

    If you find yourself in wet or unsupportable snow, get out of avalanche terrain and be aware what is above you. 

  • Wind Slabs

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

    While the majority of the mountains see rain today, the highest peaks will get snow. Expect 3-9 inches of new snow today with moderate southwest winds. Fresh wind slab development is likely but should be easy to identify and avoid. 

    If you see blowing snow, shooting cracks, or smooth pillow like features in the snowpack, stick to slopes less than 30 degrees in slope angle. 

Avalanche Discussion

Keep it simple today because there is a lot going on and snow doesn't like rapid change. Today, 1-2 inches of rain and warm temperatures will shock our winter snowpack with a rapid change. We can expect to see lots of wet loose snow avalanches, some fresh wind slab, and in specific terrain, potential for destructive wet slab avalanches. 

Avoidance is the strategy today, especially by not hanging out underneath avalanche paths or runouts. 

Please continue to submit observations and help us keep an eye on changing conditions. Check out this video on what makes a useful observation. 

Avalanche forecasts will be issued on Saturdays and Sundays. A general information product will be issued on Mondays to cover the Monday-Friday period. Additional forecasts will be issued anytime an Avalanche Warning is issued.

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Ski and ride safe.

 

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