Lawinenlagebericht

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Thu
Hochgebirge
3 · Erheblich
Waldgrenze
3 · Erheblich
Unterhalb
2 · Mässig
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 5 years ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

You may trigger lingering slab avalanches earlier in the day in steep wind loaded pockets, but as snow falls expect avalanche likelihood to increase. When you notice more than about 6 inches of fresh snow, travel more conservatively and avoid all slopes greater than 35 degrees.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Avalanche danger will increase throughout the day as snow continues to fall. Precipitation intensity peaks just before midday, when it’s a good time to start dialing back your exposure to avalanche terrain. Pay attention as snowfall amounts increase, and observe how the new snow is bonding to the layer beneath. Slabs may be more reactive in wind drifted areas. Avoid slopes steeper than 35 degrees as the danger rises.

    Several natural and human triggered avalanche observations came in from neighboring zones since Saturday. Many of the avalanches were shallow, but a couple were two or more feet deep, reaching near the depth of the 3/18 interface. Check out the media strip below for several recent avalanches photos in nearby areas, where conditions are similar to ours in the West Central zone. Most of these storm interfaces are healing quickly, but it is possible that an avalanche could step down into one of these underlying layers, becoming much larger than what the most recent snowfall could produce. 

    A human triggered slab avalanche which occurred in a nearby zone on Monday, similar to what you might see on Wednesday in the West Central zone.

Avalanche Discussion

Surface hoar was reported on Tuesday in neighboring areas, and it might exist in the West Central zone as well.  If it stays preserved beneath the snow that falls Wednesday, avalanche hazard will increase significantly. Buried surface hoar could remain on some surfaces and not others, so investigate for its presence in areas that you travel. 

An unfortunate fatality occurred in the Sierras on Saturday when a snowmobiler stepped too close to the edge of a cornice and it broke on them. You can read the report HERE. Stay far away from the edge of cornices and the slopes beneath them as they continue to grow larger. Glide cracks are also widening, and despite cooler temperatures, exercise caution by avoiding or limiting your time beneath them. Glide avalanche problems tend to waken in the spring with generally warmer temperatures. 

During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, continue to follow the latest guidance from local, state, and federal health officials. Avoid unnecessary risks that could impact first responders and stress medical resources.  Wear a mask when appropriate, practice social distancing, and consider recreating closer to home.

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