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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 17th, 2019–Dec 18th, 2019
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Thin snow cover exists, especially at lower elevations, and creates hazards of its own. Look for fresh drifts formed by recent winds on upper elevation terrain. Avalanches may be triggered where firm, cohesive slabs cover weaker snow. With the first round of incoming storms expected Wednesday evening, plan for a rise in avalanche danger by Thursday. 

Discussion

Wednesday should be a relatively quiet day, with winds decreasing in the morning and light snow arriving by late afternoon. In general, the cold and relatively calm weather has allowed the avalanche danger to ease. However, an observer recently found a small pocket to easily crack out under his weight on a southeast aspect at 7,400ft near Blue Lakes. These slabs were fairly soft (4 Finger hardness), but resting over very soft snow (Fist hardness). Plumes of wind drifted snow above 8,000ft were visible from a distance. 

Wednesday night a decent first round of snow should arrive to the area. By late in the day Thursday, you can expect dangerous conditions to develop in the mountains. If you get out tomorrow, here are some pertinent  observations you can make: What type of snow surfaces are you finding? What kind of snowpack structure is out there? Is there weak snow over strong snow, and where? As always, let us know what you find out there.

Snowpack Discussion

December 12th, 2019 (The regional synopsis is updated every Thursday @ 6 pm)

After a dry November, this week marks the beginning of more winterlike weather across the region with snow at middle and pass level elevations. While there’s uncertainty in the weather forecast, it does appear that the snowpack will continue to build to some extent over the coming week. 

Throughout much of the region, the slow start to winter has left avalanche conditions distinctly defined by elevation. Slopes above 5,500-6,000ft hold a layered snowpack that provides enough coverage for winter travel and avalanches. Below this elevation, most slopes were bare until the past week. At these lower elevations, it will likely take another round of storms before larger avalanches are possible and travel becomes easier.

 

Image courtesy of the Natural Resources Conservation Services interactive map showing Snotel weather stations measuring well below normal snow water equivalent for this season so far.

Upper Elevations

The lack of significant snowfall has resulted in commonalities throughout the region. Slopes above about 5,500ft currently hold the ”deepest” snow cover and the most layered snowpack. Until the lower elevation terrain builds a more substantial snowpack, the upper elevations will hold the most potential for producing large avalanches. If you dig into the snow in these areas, you’ll find a range of height of snow and a variety of layers. Here are a few layers to note:

  • The interface of older snow and any new incoming snow would be the first interface to check.

  • Snowfall around December 7th and 11th may have buried surface hoar and near-surface facets in some locations. As of Dec 12th, these interfaces can be found 1-2’ below the surface.

  • A layer of facets can be found near the middle of the snowpack, buried just before Thanksgiving. Where found, the facets are often rounded or have even undergone some melt-freeze metamorphism from liquid water.

While these layers give you something to look at in snow profiles, they may not be your main snowpack concern for the day. Continue to check the daily zone forecasts for the most up to date avalanche conditions. We’ll monitor these layers as future weather brings changes to the snow and avalanche conditions

 

A layer of facets in the middle of the snowpack resulted in sudden test results on Dec 11th. Rock Mtn, N, 6270ft. Photo: Josh Hirshberg.

Middle and Lower Elevations

At most locations below 5,500ft, slopes are still building uniform snow cover. In many zones, the hazard of hitting rocks or shallowly buried objects may be more significant than the avalanche danger. Depending on future weather, the snowpack could continue to form or could, unfortunately, melt out to the ground. While there’s little layering of note at these elevations, avalanches aren’t completely out of the question with the right weather input. Further low elevation snowfall or warming could drive avalanche activity. The East North forecast zone, including Washington Pass, has more low elevation snow than other zones and therefore more potential for avalanches at these elevations. As with the upper elevations, we’ll wait and see what the next round of weather brings.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

A bump in wind speeds may have created thin, fresh wind drifts in upper elevation, exposed terrain. You can trigger small slabs where thicker, wind drifted snow rests atop softer snow. Use small test slopes to check how these fresh drifts may react to the weight of a person or a sled. Look for warning signs like cracks shooting through the snow or whumphs. 

If you do find reactive instabilities, use caution on slopes over 35 degrees. Avoid steep, unsupported, or obvious wind loaded slopes above treeline. Use more supported and lower angled slopes for travel if you experience signs of instability.

Release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.

 

Wind Slabs form in specific areas, and are confined to lee and cross-loaded terrain features. They can be avoided by sticking to sheltered or wind-scoured areas..

 

Wind Slab avalanche. Winds blew from left to right. The area above the ridge has been scoured, and the snow drifted into a wind slab on the slope below.

 

Wind slabs can take up to a week to stabilize. They are confined to lee and cross-loaded terrain features and can be avoided by sticking to sheltered or wind scoured areas.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1