Lawinenlagebericht

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Fri
Hochgebirge
3 · Erheblich
Waldgrenze
3 · Erheblich
Unterhalb
2 · Mässig
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Kernpunkte

A skier triggered and was caught in an avalanche in the Mt Baker backcountry on Wednesday. You can trigger similar avalanches on Thursday as the next weather system brings more snow to the area. Stay off and away from  slopes steeper than 35 degrees while the snowpack adjusts to the added weight. 

Lawinenprobleme

  • Storm Slabs

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

    A skier was buried in an avalanche outside the Mt Baker Ski Area boundary on a northeast facing slope at around 4700ft on Wednesday, he was recovered unharmed. Preliminary reports show that the avalanche failed 18-24” down on a storm snow interface.  More avalanches were reported failing around one foot deep in storm snow layers in the area. Over a foot of snow has been added since then. Slopes may just need that little bit more snow, or a human trigger to tip the scale and avalanche.  

    Expect slab development at higher elevations, where the wind will play a role in redistributing the new snow into thicker more reactive deposits on leeward slopes. Textured surfaces, pillows of recently drifted snow, and new cornice development are signs that wind deposited more snow onto a slope. Stay off areas steeper than 35 degrees while avalanches and snowfall continue.

    A human triggered slab avalanche on Wednesday

Avalanche Discussion

Watch for small loose avalanches during this storm cycle.  Expect moist snow and possibly rollerballs below ~4000ft, while at higher elevations steep areas could produce small dry “sluffs”. Stay alert even for small avalanches as they could still knock you off your feet. 

Avalanches are currently limited to the 3 feet or more of snow above the 12/9 crust. The stout 12/9 crust formed over the existing snowpack last week after 3 inches of rain fell, locking the lower snowpack in place.  This is one of our larger storm cycles we’ve seen this year, and recent avalanches are bullseye clues that we should stick to lower angle terrain while the snowpack adjusts to the added weight. 

During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, continue to follow the latest guidance from local, state, and federal health officials. Avoid unnecessary risks that could impact first responders and stress medical resources.  Wear a mask when appropriate, practice social distancing, and consider recreating closer to home.

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