Lawinenlagebericht

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
Auf der Karte ansehen

Lawinengefahr

Thu
Hochgebirge
3 · Erheblich
Waldgrenze
3 · Erheblich
Unterhalb
Keine Stufe
Open full map
Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 8 months ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

Higher elevations are receiving plenty of new snow, and cooling temperatures mean avalanche concerns are primarily in wind-drifted layers. Look for thicker, heavier deposits along ridgelines and around terrain features, and avoid these steep slopes where triggering a large, dangerous avalanche is likely. Recent wild weather has made access challenging, so be prepared to carefully assess conditions for yourself if you make it into the mountains.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Likely
    Größe
    1.5–2.5

    You can trigger large, deadly avalanches on Wednesday. Watch for thicker, heavier drifts on the leeward side of ridges, around terrain features, and in gullies; strong winds may push them farther downslope or into unusual locations. Drifted snow can be subtle, so heed clear warning signs like shooting cracks or recent avalanches and avoid steep slopes where you see them.

    Near the top of the upper elevation band, snow has been stacking up on a thick crust since Sunday. Hardness changes near the base of the new snow mean avalanches may extend beyond wind-loaded areas, so it could be best to avoid all steep terrain given the uncertainty.

    New snow may either bond well to the weekend crust or slide easily on it, so dig down to check the bond. As temperatures cool Tuesday night, the snowpack should become more right-side-up, shifting the main concern back to wind-drifted snow. Expect avalanche danger to increase through the day.

    Example photo: Wind drifts snow around features like rock outcroppings, where it's more likely you can trigger an avalanche. Note the wind-transported snow visible in this photo. 

Avalanche Discussion

Precipitation, temperatures, and wind were highly variable this week, but a cooler trend is finally settling in. Upper elevations may have three or more feet of snow, while mid elevations bounced between snow and rain before ending with snow Tuesday night, potentially adding a foot or more by Wednesday. Lower elevations are just beginning to accumulate; where coverage is sufficient—especially over older snow—avalanches remain possible.

Several key access points are closed due to washouts and landslides, with more possible Tuesday night as over two inches of precipitation is forecast. Recent storms have significantly impacted travel in both the mountains and lowlands, limiting access and observations. With snow totals and temperatures varying widely across the zone, be prepared to assess avalanche conditions on your own if you enter snow-covered terrain.

With the warm start to the 25-26 winter season, we have less snowpack information than usual to start daily forecast operations. For zones and elevation bands with less snow than needed for avalanche hazard, we will issue a forecast with No Rating. Anticipated avalanche and weather conditions will still be updated daily. NWAC will issue an avalanche danger rating for a zone when enough snow to produce avalanches has accumulated at middle and upper elevations.

Abgedeckte Regionen