Lawinenlagebericht

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
Auf der Karte ansehen

Lawinengefahr

Sun
Hochgebirge
3 · Erheblich
Waldgrenze
3 · Erheblich
Unterhalb
2 · Mässig
Open full map
Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist last year abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

Look for another 6-12” of new snow by Saturday morning. Stick to lower-angle terrain to reduce the risk of triggering or being caught in an avalanche. If the sun comes out in force, expect to see wet avalanches.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Round three of heavy snowfall is on the way with another 6-12” for West Central by Saturday morning. Areas that see convergence zone enhanced snowfall will also have the greatest danger. This should be between the Mt. Loop and Hwy 2, but it could set up farther south as well.

    You are more likely to trigger a slab on wind loaded slopes, but there should be enough new snow that it would be wise to look for instability in sheltered areas as well. Simple tests like hand shears and test slopes should show the bond of new snow layers. When in doubt, stick to simple, lower-angle terrain. 

    Example of a slab avalanche that released over a sun crust. Photo from prior winter.

  • Loose Wet

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

    There is plenty of fresh snow lying around that will have a bad reaction to strong sun. Periods of clear-ish sky and sun might be brief, but the March sun is powerful, and it won’t take much to warm snow surfaces. Avoid travel on or directly under steep slopes where you see fresh rollerballs or small wet avalanches.

    Cornices are now quite large and looming and getting primed to come down with sun and warmer temperatures. They are quite destructive on their own and can also trigger a slab lower on the slope. Don't linger below them.

    (2/14/2023)

    Wet avalanches often initiate in steep rocky or treed terrain. They can also trigger slabs lower on the slope.

    Photo: Robert Hahn

Avalanche Discussion

Some amount of avalanche activity was reported from nearly every forecast zone on Friday. While most were not particularly large, avalanches were plentiful and highlight the consistency of snowfall across the range in the last few days. And some were quite large.

They also are a great example of the combination of lingering weak layers, slick, crusty bed surfaces, and other layering combinations that are out there.  With more snowfall, then maybe some sun on Saturday, and then rain and potentially High danger on Sunday, it's not a weekend to take mountain travel lightly. Limit your exposure to avalanche terrain and have a plan in place to completely avoid it if you find volatile, dangerous conditions, especially if you head out for multiple days.

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