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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 8th, 2019–Jan 10th, 2019

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

Regions

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The bottom line: Heavy snowfall, strong winds, and high snow levels will create very dangerous avalanche conditions. Natural avalanches are likely at upper elevations. Only travel in the mountains if you are confident in your ability to avoid avalanche terrain.

Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion

Several human-triggered avalanches were reported recently in the Mt. Baker area. On Tuesday, observers witnessed rapidly changing conditions as winds increased and began transporting snow. On steep, wind-drifted slopes near and above treeline, it was easy to trigger small avalanches 8-16in deep. Although most avalanches were small, some ran a few hundred feet downslope.

Problems

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.

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.