Boletín de aludes

Central Cascades

Central Oregon Avalanche Center
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Peligro de aludes

Mon
Alta montaña
3 · Notable
Límite del bosque
3 · Notable
Bajo el límite
3 · Notable
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Desactualizado: este boletín caducó 2 years ago. Estás viendo condiciones pasadas, no el boletín vigente.

Lo esencial

We could get 1-2 feet of new snow by Sunday afternoon, along with winds that can move the snow around the terrain. This combination means avalanche danger will be increasing on Sunday. Triggering avalanches will be likely, and as the snow stacks up, these avalanches could be large enough to bury, injure, or kill a human. Use conservative decision-making, and when in doubt, stick to low-angle terrain. 

Problemas de aludes

  • Wind Slabs

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

    With a continued pattern of new snow and wind to move it around, wind slab avalanches remain our primary concern on Sunday. Wind slabs are easiest to trigger during and immediately after a storm, and that's what we'll be dealing with on Sunday. Although winds will be out of the southwest and west, keep an eye out for signs of wind slabs anywhere that you see snow being moved. 

    On Saturday at Tam McArthur Rim, blustery winds were moving snow all over the place and filling in the skin track between laps. Even in the trees, the snow was rippled and drifted -- clear signs of wind transport.  It was a good reminder of how quickly the wind can reshape the snow surface and change conditions. 

    Watch for smooth, pillowy, or rippled snow, and snow that changes from soft to firm underfoot, especially as you step into open terrain. These are all signs of a wind slab avalanche problem. You can avoid this problem by moving to wind-sheltered terrain or low-angle slopes that are less than 30 degrees. 

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Storm slab avalanches like a lot of snow in a relatively short amount of time, and that's what we've got on tap for the next 24 hours. Overnight from Saturday to Sunday, temperatures will rise as a new storm system moves into the area, and we could see snowfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour starting late Saturday evening and continuing into mid-morning on Sunday. With 1-2 feet of new snow possible by Sunday afternoon, this is the perfect setup for storm slabs. 

    During a big storm, you can gather a lot of information from the snow surface. Hand shears and shovel tilt tests are great tools for assessing instabilities within new snow. Remember to step out of the skin track and see how the snow feels under your boards. If it's cracking or breaking, that's an indication of a slab. The best way to manage a storm snow avalanche problem through terrain management, by avoiding slopes that are steeper than 30 degrees and staying away from terrain traps like gulleys, constrictions, or tightly spaced trees, where moving snow will pile up. 

Avalanche Discussion

Wind slab and storm slab avalanches are common in our region during any big storm, because we tend to get a lot of snow and a lot of wind together. Fortunately, you can monitor these problems by paying attention to the surface layers under your feet. Expect wind slabs anywhere that you see the wind moving snow, and look for storm slabs anywhere that you're not finding a wind slab problem. 

Cornices have been building and will continue to do so with this new storm. Give cornices a wide berth and don't hang out below them on Sunday. 

Last but not least, it's likely that the best riding on Sunday will be in the trees, where the snow is most sheltered from the wind. With significant snowfall totals, tree wells pose an additional hazard. Avoid this hazard by keeping your speed in check and giving yourself space when making turns around trees. Ride with a buddy in sight so that you can quickly help each other. Learn more about tree well safety here. 

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