East Slopes Central

Problemas de aludes

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  Persistent Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alta montaña
  • Límite del bosque
  • Bajo el límite del bosque

  Probabilidad

  Likely

  Tamaño

  1.5–2

  Freezing levels hovered around 6000 ft on Sunday and will start to drop Sunday night. Another small round of snow is forecasted through the end of the day on Monday, accumulating higher totals closer to the Cascade Crest. The snowpack should, by and large, be dry at upper elevations. But whether you make it through all the wet snow lower down to reach dry snow higher up, conditions will not necessarily be safer. This atmospheric event (AR) is testing buried weak layers at all elevations with added weight to the snowpack, and we don't yet know how things have played out. Areas further west in the zone received and continue to expect higher snow totals, making conditions especially precarious in these areas.

  Persistent slabs can break in surprising ways and wider than expected. You will be more likely to trigger a slide in wind-loaded areas, so be on the lookout for signs of wind transport. Clear signs of instability are cracks shooting from your skis or machine, collapsing (whumpfing), and recent natural or triggered slab avalanches. The best way to manage this problem while we wait for the snowpack to adjust to its new load is to avoid avalanche terrain.

  

• 

  Wet Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alta montaña
  • Límite del bosque
  • Bajo el límite del bosque

  Probabilidad

  Likely

  Tamaño

  1.5–2.5

  Wet slab, persistent slab, wet loose, even glide—whatever you want to call them, liquid water has been and continues to be introduced to the snowpack, elevating the likelihood of avalanches. Until water has time to drain out or refreeze, avalanches will be of concern.

  It's possible a lot of avalanche paths where slides could grow large enough to kill you released over the weekend. However, we have very little certainty on this claim. Furthermore, new snow could accumulate in a start zone that previously released, making it hazardous again. Ultimately, we're not out of the atmospheric river yet, so with such uncertainty, enter into the mountains assuming conditions are still dangerous. Don't hang out on or below large paths if they have not slid yet. Cornices could be sagging and primed for breaking off, so be wary of precariously hanging blocks of snow above or below you. Don’t linger in terrain traps where avalanche debris can concentrate. If you find an avalanche path that has previously slid, be sure there is no lingering overhead hazard before entering it.

  

• 

  Wind Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alta montaña
  • Límite del bosque
  • Bajo el límite del bosque

  Probabilidad

  Likely

  Tamaño

  1–1.5

  Sustained wind speeds up to 50 mph are forecasted overnight Sunday into Monday, accompanied by snow and dropping freezing levels. You'll likely find some new, dry snow transported by the wind. These slabs could be forming over slick crusts or an overall compromised (wetted) snowpack. Older slabs that might've formed overnight Saturday into Sunday could still have some lingering instability.

  Wind slabs usually form just below ridgelines and on exposed convexities and gullies, but with such strong wind, look for wind-affected snow lower down on slopes than usual. New slabs could be forming in paths that just released over the weekend, making them dangerous once more. Visual clues such as cornices, blowing snow, and drifted pillow-like dunes will help you identify where the wind has transported snow. Give cornices a wide berth when standing above and below them. If you see long shooting cracks from your equipment, new slab avalanche activity, or feel collapsing, choose more sheltered and lower angle terrain.