Lawinenlagebericht

East Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Mon
Hochgebirge
3 · Erheblich
Waldgrenze
3 · Erheblich
Unterhalb
3 · Erheblich
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Kernpunkte

The storm will exit the region overnight on Saturday, but dangerous avalanche conditions will persist for Sunday. Avoid traveling in steep open terrain. Avalanches in the new snow could be large enough to bury or kill you, but even smaller avalanches could step down to a buried crust, become very large and run long distances.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Storm Slabs

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

    The Saturday storm deposited up to 18inches of snow throughout the East North zone, and winds likely built much deeper drifts on lee aspects. There is significant uncertainty about how well the new snow bonded to the old snow surface and how the new load affects deeper layers in the snowpack. Avalanches in the new snow could step down to these weak layers further below the snow surface and become an unsurvivable slide. Avoid steep, unsupported slopes in open terrain at upper elevations, especially in wind-loaded areas. Instead, choose conservative terrain and allow the snowpack to adjust to the new load. 

    Be sure to consider what is above you before riding underneath large avalanche paths. If you venture out, look for bullseye data such as recent avalanches and shooting cracks to inform you that the snowpack is unstable, and avalanches are likely.

    Small natural storm slab near Washington Pass on 12/18/2021

    Photo: Jeff Rich

Avalanche Discussion

Sunday will offer a brief break in the storm, with trace snowfall, cooler temperatures, and light winds. If you take advantage of this weather window, it will be essential to approach new terrain slowly and cautiously. Multiple natural avalanches occurred in the Washington Pass area on Saturday. These storm snow instabilities will take time to settle, and there is still concern around the early December crust-facet combo. Which now is located 2-4ft down from the snow surface, depending on elevation and proximity to the west. Observers have found snowpack tests that indicate consistent propagation and heard whumphing collapses in the Washington Pass area. In addition, avalanche professionals north of the border have noted an increase in avalanches on the crust buried in early December, despite relatively benign weather. This uptick in activity should give us pause, especially because the same facet/crust layer exists in this zone. All of this speaks to the potential for much larger and surprising avalanches.  

During the storm, moderate winds likely formed wind slabs on various aspects near ridges. Use visual clues such as cornice direction or drifts near rocks and trees to identify and avoid steep wind-loaded slopes.  

Abgedeckte Regionen