Lawinenlagebericht

Northwest Mountains

Crested Butte Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Fri
Hochgebirge
3 · Erheblich
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
2 · Mässig
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Kernpunkte

Soft slab avalanches remain possible to human trigger, after 1 to 2 feet of snow has accumulated this week. This avalanche problem will be both, the largest in size on previously wind-loaded slopes and potentially the most sensitive to human triggering. On sustained steep terrain, wind-loaded or not, even a small avalanche could easily grow in size. Thoughtfully work your way into avalanche terrain today, while taking the necessary time to understand how reactive the avalanche problem is in your area, with the aid of many test slopes and low-consequence terrain features. 

Lawinenprobleme

  • Storm Slabs

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

    A density change within the recent storm snow created a touchy storm slab avalanche problem on Wednesday morning. By Wednesday afternoon this avalanche problem remained reactive on wind-loaded terrain and became more stubborn to triggering on wind-sheltered terrain. Wind-loaded terrain will remain the most suspect today, while assessment of all avalanche terrain will be necessary to manage this avalanche problem. You can further reduce your chance of triggering an avalanche by traveling on lower-angled wind-sheltered slopes. 

    A small skier triggered a storm slab near Crested Butte on 2/15. 

Avalanche Discussion

This week we have seen storm totals reach around 1 foot of new snow in the SE Mountains and up to 2 feet in the NW Mountains. Winds have been strong enough to transport snow at times and have blown from many different directions around the compass. Most notably out of the east yesterday which isn't a wind direction we often see. Wind speeds may be strong enough today, for periods of continued snow transport at upper elevations. This is one reason we are holding elevated avalanche danger for above-treeline elevations in the NW Mountains. 

Peak instability for the storm slab avalanche problem was reached early yesterday morning. During that time many small natural avalanches released and a few human-triggered avalanches also occurred. By the afternoon, this avalanche problem remained reactive on wind-loaded slopes, while in wind-sheltered areas the problem was quickly becoming more stubborn to human triggering. As we move further away from the loading period this avalanche problem will continue to become less reactive. As these slabs further settle and gain strength, we'll next need to observe whether any of the buried persistent weak layers in the upper snowpack will come into play. 

Looking ahead to Friday, we have a great weather forecast coming up and a lovely day to be out in the backcountry. High temperatures will be around the freezing mark and wet avalanche problems will be a developing avalanche problem throughout the day. Rapid settlement in the upper snowpack will keep some continued hazards going for recently formed storm slabs, while we'll further be assessing whether any persistent weak layers will come into play under those soft slabs. Start scheming some fun ideas for Friday, then make sure to check both the observations and the latest avalanche forecast to see how things are developing. 

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