Boletín de aludes

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Peligro de aludes

Sun
Alta montaña
3 · Notable
Límite del bosque
3 · Notable
Bajo el límite
3 · Notable
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Desactualizado: este boletín caducó 5 years ago. Estás viendo condiciones pasadas, no el boletín vigente.

Lo esencial

We are at the tail end of a major storm, and the snowpack needs time to adjust. Dangerous conditions still exist, and you could easily trigger large avalanches on slopes greater than 30 degrees at all elevations. Choose simple terrain sheltered from the wind and don't linger in the runout zones of large avalanche paths. 

Problemas de aludes

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alta montaña
    • Límite del bosque
    • Bajo el límite del bosque
    Probabilidad
    Likely
    Tamaño
    2–3

    The cooling trend will continue Friday night with additional snow accumulation and strong westerly winds. Wind loading and slab development will be most productive overnight, with snowfall and winds tapering off in the morning and the chance for clearing skies by Saturday afternoon.

    SNOTELs throughout the East South Zone reported 2-3ft of snow January 5-7, and even more is suspected in areas closer to the Cascade crest. All the new snow was easily redistributed into thick and reactive slabs in leeward terrain. A natural avalanche cycle began Thursday during the heaviest precipitation rates and continued through Friday throughout the region. Even though the storm ends Saturday, you will still be able to trigger large avalanches on a variety of new and old snow layers. The thickest and most reactive slabs will be found above treeline. 

    (1/7/2022)

    Intense wind drifting of snow observed on the east side of the Cascade Crest Friday afternoon.

    Photo: Matt Primomo

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alta montaña
    • Límite del bosque
    • Bajo el límite del bosque
    Probabilidad
    Likely
    Tamaño
    1–2

    Several feet of recent storm snow needs time to settle and stabilize. Even though the likelihood of natural avalanches decreased, slopes 30 degrees and steeper are primed for human-triggered slides. These avalanches could even break widely across terrain features, or be triggered from a distance. Carefully assess the new snow as you travel looking for recent avalanches, shooting cracks, and collapses. Be especially careful around rocky areas and rolloevers. With clearing skies and sunshine by afternoon, watch for snow surfaces to quickly change. You may see rollerballs and snow shedding from trees. These could act as triggers on slopes below, or turn into wet loose avalanches. Ease into terrain slowly and choose lower angle slopes not threatened by larger features above. 

    (1/4/2022)

    You could trigger avalanches like this on slopes 30 degrees and steeper.

    Photo: Dallas Glass

Avalanche Discussion

The most significant storm and avalanche cycle so far this season is winding down. These were unusual conditions with avalanche hazard even extending to lowland areas. Avalanches closed Highway 10 and Yakima Canyon Road Thursday, and Highway 14 remains closed. Many roof avalanches were reported throughout the region as well, including an incident in Roslyn where an 80 y/o man was fully buried in a roof avalanche on January 7. Fortunately, his wife witnessed the event and called 911. Roslyn fire was able to dig the man out of the debris. He sustained only orthopedic injuries. 

Reports of a widespread natural avalanche cycle throughout the region continue to trickle in. A very large explosive triggered avalanche occurred at Crystal Mountain on Friday and broke on weak snow at the ground. On Monday, an explosive triggered avalanche stepped down to the solstice crust layer during avalanche mitigation work at Mission Ridge. Both of these layers should be concerns on your radar in the East South Zone as well.

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