Eastside Region

Problemas de aludes

• 

  Persistent Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

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

  Probabilidad

  Possible

  Tamaño

  1.5–3

  Obvious signs of an ongoing persistent slab avalanche problem continue, now multiple days after the snow has stopped falling. A skier triggered a persistent slab avalanche yesterday afternoon below treeline in the South Fork of Bishop Creek. See the observation here. Additionally, evidence exists throughout the region of many persistent slab avalanches that likely occurred during, and near the end of the most recent snowfall. Riders continue to report snowpack collapses and cracking while skinning and skiing.

  Observations suggest that this problem is more sensitive in the southern half of the forecast zone where the snowpack is roughly half the depth of areas to the north, and the weight of a skier can more easily affect buried weak layers. 

  This is a tricky problem to manage, as persistent slab avalanches are notoriously unpredictable, often providing few clues before avalanche initiation. Additionally, they can break higher than expected and be triggered from low angle, connected terrain. Audible collapses and shooting cracks may be indicators of a persistent problem. 

  The only proven method to manage a persistent slab problem is to avoid steep slopes and connected slopes where faceted snow is buried in the snowpack. Consider building wider margins into your travel plan today.

  

• 

  Wind Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

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

  Probabilidad

  Possible

  Tamaño

  1–2

  Moderate to strong southwest winds continue to blow available snow onto downwind slopes near and above treeline. Small wind slabs were reactive near ridgelines yesterday. Expect wind slabs to be more stiff and stubborn today as less snow is available for transport. If triggered, wind slabs could be large enough to bury or injure a rider (D2). Look for fresh wind slab avalanches, blowing snow, new cornices, and drifts below ridgelines and features all as indicators of a wind slab problem. In places, a wind slab avalanche may be a large enough trigger to initiate a failure on weak layers deeper in the snowpack, resulting in a very large avalanche.

  Evaluate for signs of wind-driven instabilities while you're out, and retreat to more protected terrain if you're looking to avoid the problem today.