Eastside Region

Problemas de aludes

• 

  Wind 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

  Increasing low-density snow, abundant surface snow available for transport, and strong winds are an ideal recipe for wind slab formation.   Expect touchy and reactive wind slabs of varied depths to form on leeward terrain features creating dangerous conditions. In isolated areas along the Sierra crest wind-loading continued yesterday despite the break between storms. In these areas, wind slabs may be thicker and stronger and fail in less predictable ways. The best bet is to avoid wind-loaded leeward avalanche start zones today, especially below ridgelines and around terrain features that block or re-direct winds. If looking for soft snow in sheltered areas at lower elevations, be aware of overhead hazard and avoid the runouts of defined avalanche paths in the terrain above you.

  

• 

  Storm Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

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

  Probabilidad

  Very Likely

  Tamaño

  1–2

  Snowfall began again late last night and up to 9" of snow has fallen as of this morning. As the day begins, expect storm slabs to be small and reactive to human triggers. Another 6" to 12" inches of snow is expected today. As more snow accumulates storm slabs will become larger, more cohesive, and begin to release naturally. By this afternoon they may be large enough to bury a rider. Terrain traps like gullies and tree wells that concentrate debris could increase the consequences of being caught in a storm slab avalanche. As the day progresses, keep tabs on the amount of new snow that has accumulated in the terrain around you.

  

• 

  Deep Persistent Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

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

  Probabilidad

  Unlikely

  Tamaño

  3–3.5

  No new evidence of deep persistent slab instability was reported yesterday (1/15) despite heavy snow and wind loading on 1/14. The November layer of faceted snow is now down 1.5 to 2m below the snow surface. At this depth, the deep persistent slab is unlikely to be triggered by a person. However, on 1/9/23 during heavy wind and snow loading a natural avalanche stepped down and released at the base of the snowpack on a NW aspect above Aspendell, Bishop Creek. If triggered, deep slabs can propagate around terrain features that would otherwise confine new snow instabilities creating larger-than-expected avalanches. The possibility, though unlikely, of these larger avalanches is another good reason to avoid wind-loaded start zones of defined avalanche paths.