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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 22nd, 2020–Jan 23rd, 2020

Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

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Very dangerous avalanche conditions will develop as snow and rain falls through Thursday. Avalanches could be very large and destructive. Where significant rain falls, avoid avalanche terrain and use extra caution near any areas where avalanches could run down from above. 

Discussion

Expect snow to turn to rain during the day on Thursday and spread to mid-elevation slopes. There's uncertainty around how much precipitation will fall as rain. The more rain that falls, the more you can expect widespread large, wet avalanches. Not only is this a dangerous day to be in the mountains due to avalanches, but you'll have a tough time staying dry.

On Wednesday, observers in the Cuthroat Creek drainage triggered an avalanche on a southeast aspect at 6,100ft. The avalanche was 1.5 feet deep and ran on a firm bed surface formed by warm temperatures, sun, and/or wind around MLK weekend.

Snowpack Discussion

New Regional Synopsis coming soon. We update the Regional Synopsis every Thursday at 6 pm.

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.