Lawinenlagebericht

East Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

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

Be on the lookout for pockets of wind-loaded snow in alpine terrain, near exposed ridges, and along the base of cliffs. While less likely, triggering an avalanche in older snow remains a possibility. Seeking out more sheltered and simpler terrain can reduce the chance of both types of avalanches.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–1.5

    Stronger winds Wednesday night could build a fresh batch of wind slabs particularly higher in the terrain. This should only add to the patchwork of wind transported snow from the last few days. Winds have come from about every direction imaginable potentially forming slabs in some odd places. 

    Since the active loading should largely be over, look for textured surfaces, wind lips, and drifts that point toward possible slabs. In some cases these may be soft and easy to manage, in others, they could be firm and hollow. Give the latter a very wide berth.

    (1/31/2025)

    A natural wind slab from earlier this season at the base of cliffs, where stiffer snow settles. This is terrain where you could trigger a wind slab on Monday. 

    SS-N-R2-D1-I

    Photo: Katie Warren

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Unlikely
    Größe
    2

    Not much has changed with this problem. The chances are low, but the consequences are high. Given the variable nature of many of the potential weak layers, it makes it very hard to assess this hazard slope to slope. Don’t expect clear signs like whumpfs or shooting cracks. The only way to really see may be to dig. 

    There’s not a simple solution other than fully staying off of steep shaded slopes. These slides could be more common in wind-loaded areas where the slab is thicker and stiffer. If you’re going to push into this terrain, weigh the scales in your favor by using more planar slopes away from complex rocky areas. Discuss the consequences, and look for areas without trees or rocks, just in case the slopes slides.

    (2/6/2025)

    This large (D2) slab avalanche was likely triggered by cornice fall and we suspect it ran on the JDL weak layer. 

    Liberty Bowl, NNW, 7,200ft

    Photo: John Lucia

Avalanche Discussion

Thursday should be a relative break in the active weather pattern. A disturbance up north in Canada should keep the East North zone cloudy. However, if the sun pokes through, you may see a few rollerballs or small loose wet slides. All in all, with little new snow, generally light winds, and minimal direct sunshine, it should be a quiet weather day. 

The current snowpack is weak and faceted but also highly variable. While the facets from the January Drought Layer are the most common layer of concern, several potential weak layers exist. These older snow layers have been very quiet the past few weeks. While other zones have loaded weak layers with new snow, storm totals in the East North have been a bit more meager. Without much new weight, it’s hard to wake the beast up. 

Lower elevations and eastern areas of the zone harbor a very weak, faceted snowpack because they stayed in the deep freeze below the inversion as upper elevations warmed in January. On Saturday, an NWAC Forecaster found a thick layer of very weak, faceted snow below last week's storm slab. With warmer temperatures, we could begin to see the overlaying snow form more of a cohesive slab, but that remains to be seen.  

You can help us gather more data by submitting an observation HERE or via the Avy App. 

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