Lawinenlagebericht

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

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

Kernpunkte

You can still trigger avalanches in steep terrain where the wind created deeper drifts and slabs.  Bypass steep slopes where you suspect recent wind loading by using lower-angled terrain. Anticipate warmer conditions and the possibility of wet avalanche activity in the days ahead.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Two new avalanches were triggered today in mid-elevation wind-loaded terrain. While both were small (D1.5 or less) they show a continued likelihood of finding one on similar slopes. The current crop of wind slabs are less “slabby” than usual. A wind-loaded slope might just feel like deeper, settled powder instead of stiff, wind-affected snow. 

    A facet/crust combination was observed as the weak layer and bed surface in at least one of these avalanches. A weak layer of facets means it could take longer than normal for recently formed wind slabs to gain strength and become unreactive.

    While all reported slab avalanches in the past week have occurred on easterly aspects, assess any slope where you suspect recent wind loading. Track changes in snow depth and as you gain elevation or change aspects. Don’t forget to look for typical signs of wind loading like cornices and scoured or rippled snow surfaces. Take your time moving into terrain where you might find the problem. Or just avoid suspect slopes entirely.

    (11/29/2024)

    A fresh, human-triggered avalanche on an easterly aspect of Table Mt. at 5400'. 

    Photo:  Harrison Brickman

Avalanche Discussion

Slightly warmer temperatures and clouds on Saturday should lead to much higher freezing levels and direct sun the day following. Avoid being on or directly under steep slopes if you observe signs of instability like rollerballs and very small avalanches, or the snow simply becomes wet and heavy.

With a continued pattern of small human-triggered avalanches, avalanche danger much exceeded the forecast for Friday. On one hand, many steep slopes on all aspects have been ridden with no result. But light, easy-to-transport snow, periods of moderate westerly wind, and a potentially problematic snowpack structure are indications that caution and assessment are still needed before moving into steeper terrain. One challenge is that the only place to assess wind-loaded terrain might be on the steep slope below you.  Another is that signs of wind transport could be harder to ID than usual.

Continued below-freezing temperatures have kept melting and settlement in check at mid and upper elevations. They have also allowed for faceting in the upper snowpack down to and just below a prominent crust. Sun crust can be found on steeper south aspects, but overall travel conditions are still quite good with soft snow on most aspects.

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