Lawinenlagebericht

West Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

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

Kernpunkte

Look for an increase in avalanche danger anywhere there is more than a few inches of fresh snowfall.  You are more likely to trigger an avalanche on slopes accumulating wind-drifted snow. Be ready to adjust your plan if weather and snow conditions are different than expected.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Storm Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–1.5

    A warmer storm will impact the southern Cascades Monday into Tuesday morning. There could be a few inches to a foot of new snow by the end of the day depending on location in West South.

    You are more likely to trigger a slab avalanche in wind-loaded terrain, especially where you observe active wind loading.  But the combination of snowfall and rising temperatures is the setup to see unstable slabs in more sheltered areas as well. Areas nearer to the Cascade Crest like Crystal and White Pass are forecast to see less snow and experience higher wind speeds while Paradise could see deeper new snow.

    As snow starts to accumulate, look for dense snow over a lighter, weaker layer below. Test slopes and hand pits should show if unstable slabs are forming. Long shooting cracks and avalanches are signs it’s time to avoid steep slopes. If you find less than 6” of new snow then slab avalanches are unlikely.

    Look for small, shallow slabs by the end of the day. 

Avalanche Discussion

Grey, occasionally windy weather was the story across most of West South on Sunday. Light snowfall began midday, with weather stations picking up an inch or two of new snow. Paradise had 3” of new snow by 5 pm.

On Saturday, an NWAC Forecaster on the south side of Adams found upper elevation terrain completely hammered with many windward ridgelines scoured down to rock. Stiff, unreactive wind slab was found pretty much everywhere else, but mid-elevation sheltered terrain held good riding conditions. Similar conditions were reported from St. Helens.

A number of observers around Paradise reported widespread dense, unreactive wind slabs 4-8" deep. Test slopes and other testing produced few results other than localized cracking. Many windward slopes and exposed ridgelines were scoured down to crust or rocks.

If you make it into the backcountry please send us an observation! 

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