Lawinenlagebericht

East Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

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

Continued light snow and moderate winds may build drifts of snow near ridges in alpine terrain. Use caution and steer around steep terrain with these pillow-like drifts to avoid triggering avalanches. Small wet avalanches may also be possible with clear skies in the morning.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Light snow with moderate winds is in the forecast and will likely build fresh shallow wind slabs on lee aspects near ridges and in wind-exposed alpine terrain. Visual clues such as textured surfaces, blowing snow, cornices, and pillow-like drifts of snow can help you identify and avoid fresh wind slabs. If you observe shooting cracks or feel the snowpack collapse beneath you, move to lower angle or wind-sheltered terrain. While we expect the size of the avalanches to be small, even small avalanches can be consequential if it knocks you off your feet and carries you into trees, rocks, over cliffs, or buries you in confined terrain.

    Expect a shift to gusty easterly winds by midday on Wednesday. There should be enough snow available at upper elevations to be drifted. Westerly winds were strong enough to transport snow Monday night into Tuesday. On Tuesday, an observer near Silverstar creek noted surprisingly little wind effect above treeline.  Elsewhere, the wind may have formed more significant slabs. Expect that you may be able to trigger these slightly older wind slabs as well as those that form on Wednesday.

    (1/9/2022)

    Blowing snow and a wind slab in alpine terrain.

    Photo: Will Govus

Avalanche Discussion

You may be able to trigger small wet avalanches on sunny slopes if the sun shines long enough to melt the surface snow. Keep an eye on how much the surface melts and use small test slopes to check if it could slide easily.  If so, stick to slopes less than 35 degrees or move to a more shaded aspect. Snow surfaces at low elevations became moist on Tuesday and should freeze solid overnight. 

While exact snow totals are uncertain, areas near Washington Pass likely picked up 3-5" of snow on Tuesday. Last week, Washington Pass picked up 10-12" of snow, which has gradually settled above a crust from 4/8. Observers have found cold, dry snow on northerly aspects that seems well bonded to the underlying crust. Sunny weather on Sunday formed a crust on southerly aspects, and an observer noted a cornice fall resulting in a large wet loose avalanche. The WSDOT crews reported some natural avalanches in the Liberty Bell area. Information and observations are limited. Access to snow-covered slopes has become difficult in many parts of the zone. Be prepared to make your own observations and assessments. If you see conditions different from what we describe, defer to lower-angle and simpler terrain. The North Cascades Highway SR 20 is currently gated at Silverstar, though the road is plowed further west. Until the road opens, WSDOT allows recreational access on the North Cascades Highway near Washington Pass from Friday-Sunday. With road clearing operations underway midweek and other professional operations inactive, your observations are essential. If you're out in the mountains, let us know what you see. 

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