Galena Summit & Eastern Mtns

Lawinenprobleme

• 

  Persistent Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Hochgebirge
  • Waldgrenze
  • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze

  Wahrscheinlichkeit

  Very Likely

  Größe

  2–3

  Natural and remotely triggered avalanches—slides triggered from flat terrain below, above, and to the sides of steep slopes—are very likely. Avalanches large enough to bury people and break trees could be much wider than expected and triggered from far away. Avalanche crowns could pull into relatively gentle terrain.  

  The "slab" and "weak layer" parts of the avalanche equation are not really variables today; snowfall and wind-transported snow formed slabs on many middle and upper elevation slopes and in isolated locations at lower elevations. Weak layers (facets, crusts and facets, and surface hoar) exist below the storm snow and below last week's storm snow. 

  Today is not the day to try to thread the needle and outsmart the snowpack. We encourage you to sample the amazing sled and ski conditions in mellow terrain that is not on, below, or connected to steep slopes.  

  

• 

  Wind Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Hochgebirge
  • Waldgrenze
  • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze

  Wahrscheinlichkeit

  Very Likely

  Größe

  1–2

  Whether a weak layer exists or not, the combination of intense snowfall and strong winds makes natural and human-triggered avalanches very likely in windy, upper elevation and alpine terrain. These slides may not be as wide or big as the Persistent Slab avalanches described above, but some Wind Slab avalanches will be large enough to bury people. Additionally, they can trigger or "step down" to Persistent Slab avalanches as they move downslope. 

  Steep, wind-loaded slopes should be off limits today, regardless of what elevation band you are in. Avoid playing in areas with overhead hazard—areas below steep, windy slopes that lack dense, live tree stands.