Storm Slabs
- Alta montaña
- Límite del bosque
- Bajo el límite del bosque
- Probabilidad
- Very Likely
- Tamaño
- 1–2
We are in the throes of a region wide storm event that is estimated to deliver 2 to 4” of water by Sunday evening. Today the storm looks to pummeling the peninsula with heavy rain/snowfall and strong southeast winds gusting over 50 mph. Summit Lake may see over an 1” of water today falling as snow (6” to 10”) above 3000’. Large natural avalanches in the new snow and windblown snow 1 to 3’ deep will be likely. What's most concerning is that these have the potential to trigger a deeper avalanche 3 to 5’ deep carrying avalanche debris to valley bottoms (Problem 2). Today may be a good day to wake up slow and do some puzzling. If anyone decides to venture in the storm to test out their gore-tex be sure to avoid traveling on or underneath steep terrain.
The storm is supposed to reach its peak today. The good news is that the rain/snow line is forecast to decrease to 1000’ by Sunday evening with another 0.5” of water expected.
Wet Loose Avalanche: Natural wet snow avalanches are likely releasing below 3000’. If the weather verifies a wet avalanche could run a long way and entrain a lot of snow capable of burying a human. Rollerballs falling or being blown off of rocky outcrops or trees are clues that the snow near the surface is becoming saturated and losing strength. This problem is most concerning on steep slopes above you as well in gullies and terrain traps where avalanche debris piles up. The safests option today is to steer clear of these areas especailly slopes above you that are steep enough to slide.