Lawinenlagebericht

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Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

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

As the heat turns up Wednesday wet snow avalanche concerns will increase including on aspects and elevations that previously held colder drier snow.  Firm slopes you traveled on or below during the morning hours may be ripe for wet snow avalanches or cornice fall in the afternoon. 

Lawinenprobleme

  • Loose Wet

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

    We're entering the 3rd day of a week long warming trend.  Surface crusts are likely to break-down more quickly on Wednesday as temperatures and freezing levels climb higher than Tuesday.  We may expand the compass for wet loose avalanches to more northerly aspects that previously held cold dry snow. 

    Where you find yourself sinking into wet snow deeper than your ankle or if you see signs of increasing instability like rollerballs or natural wet loose avalanches, move to shadier or lower angle terrain.  Don't get caught in a wet loose avalanche above terrain traps like cliff bands or open creeks.  Plan your travel route so you don't encounter wet snow avalanche hazards in the afternoon. Wet loose avalanches often start at a point such as near trees or rocks.  On steep open slopes where they can entrain significant snow, they can become deceptively large and powerful.   

    Where you find large overhanging cornices, give them space along ridgelines and on slopes below.  The further we move into this warm spell, track slopes with open glide cracks and avoid hanging out on slopes below them, glide avalanches can release without warning. They are more likely to come into play later in the week. 

    (4/13/2021) Example of several natural wet loose avalanches and rollerballs in the West North zone Tuesday. One entrained enough snow to become large. Photo: Andrew Kiefer

Avalanche Discussion

Following a pair of cold storms last week, we've entered a slow but steady drumbeat of sunny days and increasing temperatures.  Shallow wind slabs that were triggered Saturday in the Hurricane Ridge area have likely become unreactive. If there's a shallow wind slab lurking, it's likely on a N-E aspect above treeline near steep rocky terrain.  

It's unclear if Wednesday will be the day wet snow avalanche activity increases or if we'll have to wait until later in the week.  On aspects with a cold/dry layered snowpack, wet slab avalanches may eventually come into play as water pools on crust layers and the slab releases.  Cornice fall, like the one observed at Mt Ellinor over the weekend, will become more likely as well.  During this transitional spring period, it's really important that you pay attention to changing conditions and adjust your plans as necessary. 

Daily avalanche forecasts will end on Sunday, April 18th.

During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, continue to follow the latest guidance from local, state, and federal health officials. Avoid unnecessary risks that could impact first responders and stress medical resources.  Wear a mask when appropriate, practice social distancing, and consider recreating closer to home.

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