Widespread weak layers above 7500’ are still lingering where it is possible to trigger a large avalanche 2-4 feet deep. Although the likelihood of triggering is slowly decreasing, the consequences remain the same. Continued warm temperatures will also make wet loose avalanches possible. Monitor cloud cover if skies are clear by the afternoon resulting in increased reactivity on southerly slopes.
Warm temperatures above freezing to at least 10,000’ are expected again today. Wet loose avalanches will be possible. Pay attention to the solar influence on snow surfaces today if skies remain clear by this afternoon during peak warming. Southerly aspects will be the main concern.
(1/30/2024) Michael Wachs
A wet loose avalanche that stepped down to the January 4 interface.
Above 7500’ hard slabs 2-4 feet deep lie above weak layers formed in December. These weak layers are widespread. Stability tests are still showing propagation, although trends are showing more stubborn sensitivity. Recent warming and cooling trends have not completely healed our problem, and the poor snowpack structure still exists. A conservative mindset is your best ally during this atypical season. Areas of the most concern will be where a thin, shallow snowpack exists and on steep, unsupported slopes near rock features.
A recent warming trend increased reactivity the last several days as exemplified by the observation from Window Mt. Pay attention if snow surfaces become wet and easy to penetrate by the afternoon. Below 7500 slabs are 1-2 feet deep and will be stubborn to triggering an avalanche due recent warming and freezing.
(1/31/2024) Photo: Gabrielle Antonioli
Slab avalanche failing on the 1/4 layer.
February Begins
The atypical winter continues as we roll into February. We’ve seen an uptick in avalanche activity since 1/28 as temperatures increased leading to many wet loose avalanches at first and several hard slabs more recently that failed on the December drought (1/4) layer. Although hard to distinguish to the naked eye, water is slowly percolating through the snowpack. This could be one reason why we’ve seen more slab avalanches failing yesterday. Check recent avalanche observations here. Today is the last day of this warming trend as a system moves into the area tomorrow. Monitor temperatures and solar influence today if you start to encounter wet snow that is easy to penetrate.
Persistent slab avalanches are difficult to manage due to their unpredictable nature. If you draw that unlucky hand and hit that one sensitive area of the slope you’re gonna lose. I’m not trying to scare people, just giving the honest truth. There’s plenty of safe terrain out there. Stack the odds in your favor and spend the extra time to probe snow depths and dig down before committing to consequential terrain if you choose to. It all comes down to risk tolerance.
