West Slopes North

Lawinenprobleme

• 

  Wind Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Hochgebirge
  • Waldgrenze
  • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze

  Wahrscheinlichkeit

  Likely

  Größe

  1–2

  Steep, wind-loaded slopes are where you're most likely to trigger an avalanche on Tuesday. You may see subtly textured surfaces, larger wind features, or the slabs may be hidden beneath a smoother, non wind-affected layer. Reactive layers could be shallow, only a few inches thick, but they may have formed into drifts a foot or deeper. There's a small chance that non wind-loaded slopes could still avalanche with a human trigger, so start small before venturing out onto large slopes. Most storm instabilities are relatively shallow, so using test slopes or hand pits may work well for evaluating the bond above the crust or in the new snow layers. Expect drifts to be larger and more reactive as you gain elevation. If you see long, shooting cracks running from your feet or sled, this is an obvious clue to avoid nearby steeps. Steer around wind-loaded slopes greater than 35 degrees on Tuesday

  We are still concerned about a subtle weak layer near a crust, buried about 2-4 feet deep. Infrequent avalanches have occurred on this layer, in wind-loaded terrain near and above treeline. Most avalanches failing on this layer happened Wednesday, 2/8, but an avalanche was reported late in the day Saturday in Canyon Creek, remotely triggered by a snowmobile. The large avalanche occurred on a 5400' north-facing slope, and was 2 feet deep. This layer may be more prevalent in Canyon Creek. It is very difficult to determine whether a slope has this weak layer, so even if you dig you may not find obvious clues as to whether the layer of concern is present on the slope. If you head out into this terrain, you are simply assuming a larger risk. 

  

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  Loose Wet

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Hochgebirge
  • Waldgrenze
  • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze

  Wahrscheinlichkeit

  Possible

  Größe

  1–1.5

  The sun will be shining in full force on Tuesday. Temperatures will remain cool, but we expect small wet loose avalanches to occur on steep sunny slopes. Wet avalanche activity will likely shift during the day from easterly to south, and finishing on westerly slopes. You might end up only seeing rollerballs, or subtle moistening on snow surfaces. Evaluate the snow surfaces as you travel, and if snow starts getting sticky and heavy, and rollerballs are running in abundance, keep in mind that wet loose avalanches in the previously dry low-density snow could follow. Start shifting your travel plans away from steep slopes on those aspects when indicators of wet loose avalanches start happening. 

  Dry loose avalanches could also run on steep, non wind-affected slopes. They could run naturally in very steep shady areas, or as the sun first hits some sunny slopes. As you enter a steep slope you may trigger a small sluff, or dry loose avalanche.