Lawinenlagebericht

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Thu
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 7 months ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

Avalanche danger may begin at Low, but will increase to Moderate as more snowfall and wind build deeper drifts, creating the potential for human-triggered avalanches. Look for freshly wind drifted snow six inches or more in steep terrain, and steer around those areas. Any avalanches should be limited to the new snow, but remember there are firm, uneven surfaces below, along with shallow hazards like previously bare patches and other obstacles. 

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–1.5

    It’s time for a mindset shift — snow is back, and so are avalanches. Early in the day, triggering a slide may be difficult with only a few inches of new snow. But as winds increase and snowfall continues, thicker wind slabs will form, and that’s where human-triggered avalanches become more likely. Near the top of the lower elevation band, you might find drifts large enough to trigger a small avalanche by the end of the day - if the old snow surface isn't too bumpy. 

    It will be easy to track the depth of the soft, new snow over the firm underlying layer. For now, we expect all avalanches to be limited to the new snow. Old surfaces are predominantly hard and bumpy, which could make it harder for new snow to slide over it, especially when the new layer is quite shallow. There could be a few isolated pockets of weaker surface snow, making slides easier in those spots. 

    During your outing, track new snow amounts and watch for signs of wind loading, like textured surfaces or pillow-shaped drifts. Feel for firmer snow beneath you. Drifts will collect in gullies, along ridgelines, and around features like rocks and steep rollovers. With a shallow new snow layer, simple hand pits in thicker drifts can reveal how easily the snow is sliding. Use small test slopes and watch for red flags like shooting cracks. When in doubt, avoid steep slopes with drifted snow around six inches deep or more — especially as those drifts grow throughout the day.

    (1/18/2024)

    Example photo: Use small test slopes with drifted snow to see if the new layer slides. 

    Photo: Julz Holder - Grounding Truth

Avalanche Discussion

Don’t forget about the firm snow surfaces lurking beneath the fluffy new snow. On steep slopes, the new layer will likely sluff easily, quickly exposing the hard, bumpy snow that’s been at the surface for weeks. This fresh coating may also disguise hidden hazards like recently melted-out bare patches, along with rocks, trees, or small glide cracks. 

After more than two weeks that began with an atmospheric river—bringing rain to the highest elevations—followed by warm, dry high pressure, we’re shifting back into a wet pattern for a few days. By the end of Wednesday, expect 6–10 inches of new snow, followed by another 6 inches Wednesday night and about 6 more on Thursday. Snow levels will rise into mid elevations on Thursday. With the excitement of fresh snow returning, keep in mind that avalanche activity will be picking back up as well.

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