Lawinenlagebericht

West Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

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

The potential for wind slabs increases on the volcanoes and at upper elevations. Look for fresh drifts or textured surfaces to help identify wind-loaded features to avoid. Elsewhere, you'll need to manage small sluffs and travel hazards until more snow falls. 

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

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

    On Wednesday, the most likely location to find a slab avalanche will be in wind-drifted terrain. This is especially true on the southern volcanoes but is applicable throughout the zone. Start thinking about avalanches anywhere you find 6" or more over the Early February Crust. Convex features, the sides of gullies, or rocky chutes are all popular locations for wind slabs to develop. You may notice visual clues such as fresh drifts, sharp lips\cornices, or textured surfaces to help indicate that the wind was transporting snow recently. These slabs may overlay weak grains in some locations, meaning they could fail easily or propagate widely. If you suspect that a slope is wind-loaded, choose an alternate route.

    (1/15/2024)

    Textured and firm surfaces, fresh cornices, and actively blowing snow are all indicators of potential wind slabs.

    Photo: Andy Harrington

Avalanche Discussion

The snow has slowly been trickling into the West South zone, increasing depth over the Early February Crust. On the ground observations are limited, but weather station data indicates 5-10 inches have fallen during this tiny storm parade. The higher end of the range correlates to the volcanoes, while the lower is near the crest. On Wednesday, showers could result in another inch or two. Winds should again be light.

On Tuesday, professionals in the neighboring Mt. Hood zone triggered wind slabs 8-12" deep. You could encounter similar conditions on Mount St. Helens or Mt. Adams. Elsewhere, slabs may be shallower but just as reactive. This past weekend, professionals reported near surface facets and surface hoar in some locations. These weak grains may have prevented the new snow from bonding to the Early February Crust.  The fresh snow may sluff easily on the underlying crust in locations lacking slab character. 

Since the atmospheric river ended, we have been left with a stout crust and challenging travel conditions. We are not currently concerned about any layers below the Early February Crust. However, we are still interested in cataloging avalanches that occurred on deeper layers due to the AR. If you come across large debris piles or crowns, send us a photo and tell us where you found them. 

Travel conditions are still variable despite the new snow. You could encounter punchy wet snow, breakable crust, firm and icy crusts, refrozen avalanche debris, open holes, gushing creeks, and large glide cracks. Give yourself extra time and bring the right tools to manage these hazards. If we get significant sun breaks on Wednesday, add rollerballs and small wet loose activity to the list of hazards to avoid on steep, sun-exposed slopes.

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