Lawinenlagebericht

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
Auf der Karte ansehen

Lawinengefahr

Tue
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
Open full map
Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 4 years ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

After a springlike day, winter weather will return with light snow and moderate winds. Expect increasing danger throughout the day with the potential for triggering avalanches in wind-drifted snow at mid and upper elevations. Consider sticking to wind-sheltered slopes or low-angle routes near ridgelines and alpine terrain. 

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

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

    On Saturday afternoon, winds did another 180° switch from west to east. Cold temperatures and shifting winds have built wind slabs in varied and sometimes unusual locations over the last week. On Monday, another round of light snow and moderate winds will form shallow wind slabs on lee aspects near ridges. I recently traveled in the Blewett Pass area and could feel older wind slabs below my skis with 5-8 inches of snow obscuring the surface. Visual clues such as textured surfaces, cornices, and pillow-like drifts of snow can help you identify and avoid fresh wind slabs, while you may need to use a probe or pole to feel for stiffer layers in the upper snowpack to identify older, more stubborn wind slabs. Use caution and consider taking lower angle routes to ridgelines or in alpine terrain. With minimal direct observations and uncertainty about the distribution and sensitivity of these overlapping wind slabs, it is important to enter new alpine terrain slowly and make observations before committing to steep terrain in wind-affected areas. If you see signs of instability such as shooting cracks or feel the snowpack collapse beneath you, move to lower angle or wind-sheltered terrain.

    (4/14/2022)

    Wind textured and drifted snow on Icicle Ridge above Leavenworth.

    Photo: Matt Primomo

Avalanche Discussion

Snow levels will likely increase to 3500 feet with this incoming storm, and lower elevations will probably see rain on snow for the first time since 2-3 feet of snow has accumulated on the eastern slopes of the Cascades. So at these lower elevations, you may be able to trigger small loose wet avalanches. A thin snowpack and rough surfaces will likely limit the distribution of these avalanches, but if you begin to sink deeply into heavy wet snow or observe rollerballs, move to lower angle terrain. Even a small wet loose avalanche could be consequential if it knocks you off your feet and carries you into trees, rocks, over cliffs, or buries you in confined terrain. Spring weather in the Cascades is notoriously tricky and can change rapidly. If you are out adventuring during the long days, keep your senses tuned into the snow and look for signs of deteriorating snow stability.

The recent storm snow is up to about 4 feet at upper elevations of Mission Ridge and similar amounts at Blewett Pass with deep drifts. Many other areas recorded 11" to 16" in the East Central by mid-morning on Thursday. I found 3 feet of generally right-side-up new snow at Tronsen Head that seemed well bonded to the early April crust, and Mission Ridge reported triggering small wind slabs and loose avalanches with control work. We lack direct information from other locations in the East Central but ranges from Entiat to the Enchantments to the Teanaway likely have multiple feet of new snow over a thicker crust from early April as well. Please help us finish the season strong and submit an observation to the platform if you make it out. 

Abgedeckte Regionen