Lawinenlagebericht

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Tue
Hochgebirge
3 · Erheblich
Waldgrenze
3 · Erheblich
Unterhalb
2 · Mässig
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 6 years ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

Watch for the avalanche danger to increase throughout the day as the snow piles up and very strong winds create deeper and easier to trigger slabs. Stormy conditions will make it hard to use visual clues to identify and avoid wind loaded slopes. However, sticking to sheltered and more treed areas away from the effects of the wind could help you stay clear of the avalanche hazard.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Expect the very strong winds forecasted for Monday to drive the avalanche danger by drifting the new snow into deeper and easier to trigger slabs. You may find the wind loading patterns hard to anticipate due to the erratic nature of very strong winds. Watch for signs of wind slabs on all aspects, well below ridgelines, and along the sides of midslope features and gullies. If you can see them, blowing snow, drifts behind objects, and fresh cornices may serve as your most obvious clues that wind slabs exist nearby. Steer around all wind loaded slopes steeper than 35 degrees. Poor visibility could make it very difficult to see and avoid wind loaded terrain. Anytime you emerge from the trees into more open or onto exposed slopes, wind slabs should be on your mind

    (11/27/2020) Westerly winds since the start of the season have built cornices on Lichtenberg Mtn. These large clues may not be as obvious on Monday with limited visibility.

Avalanche Discussion

Monday’s snow will accumulate on a variety of snow surfaces formed over the past several days. Expect the snow to bond differently as you change locations making it harder to predict and manage the hazard. The new interface (11/30) could be the bed surface for avalanche activity Monday. Two surfaces are worth calling to your attention. On steep southerly aspects, a firm crust formed over the last several days. This stout surface could make it hard for the new snow to bond and any resulting avalanche to travel far and fast. Second, in nearby zones (East-Central, East-North, and West-South) reports of surface hoar trickled in late Sunday afternoon. While the wind and sun likely destroyed these weak feathery snow grains in many locations, they may persist in shaded and sheltered sites, particularly at lower elevations and east of the Stevens Pass. If avalanches fail on surface hoar, they could trigger remotely or occur on lower angle slopes. 

While the snowpack around Stevens Pass is impressive for late November (3-5’/ 90-150cm), early season conditions still exist. Watch for open creeks, exposed rocks, and numerous small trees.

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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