Soldier & Wood River Valley Mtns

Lawinenprobleme

• 

  Persistent Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Hochgebirge
  • Waldgrenze
  • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze

  Wahrscheinlichkeit

  Very Likely

  Größe

  2–3

  The mountains received 3-4.5+ inches of water (2.5-5 feet of snowfall) in the past 5 days. While intense precipitation has ended, slopes that have not avalanched are teetering on the brink of failure. Wind loading from strong SW and W wind, calving cornices, or sunny weather may push slopes over the edge. 

  The intense multi-day storm is overwhelming, very weak snow that formed during the month-long drought, including surface hoar, facets, and facet + crust combinations. These layers exist on many slopes, the weakest of which are found at middle and low elevations. Before the weak layer was buried, it appeared to be one of the worst we've seen in recent years. 

  Heavily wind-loaded slopes can produce avalanches that run "full track" to the valley floors.  The travel advice is simple: stay far away from steep slopes and the areas beneath them. 

  

• 

  Loose Wet

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Hochgebirge
  • Waldgrenze
  • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze

  Wahrscheinlichkeit

  Very Likely

  Größe

  2

  If the sun comes out this afternoon, expect loose snow avalanches and cornice failures. These will initiate on very steep, rocky slopes that directly face the sun. While these may be large in their own right, they have a high potential to trigger much larger slab avalanches as they move downslope. The onset of this type of problem is sudden and offers little warning. Rain and warm temperatures have pushed meltwater into the snowpack. The sun will continue that process today, increasing the chance we see some large natural wet slab avalanches.