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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 12th, 2019–Jan 13th, 2019

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

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The Bottom Line: Warmth and sunshine will translate into an increased chance for loose wet avalanches on steep, sunny slopes that haven't already avalanched. Most loose wet avalanches will be small, but pay attention near terrain traps and at higher elevations where they have the potential to be large enough to bury or injure you. If you travel to higher elevations or into very steep terrain, you may find lingering wind slabs on steep unsupported slopes.

Avalanche and Snowpack Discussion

It's been several days since the most recent snowfall in this zone. At higher elevations, moderate easterly winds moved snow onto unusual aspects earlier in the week with skier triggered wind slabs reported in neighboring zones to the north and south. Heading into the weekend, the western part of the zone including the Mountain Loop Hwy should have warmed up nicely Saturday and may have already seen a widespread wet loose avalanche cycle on steep sunny slopes. Areas closer to the Cascade crest were likely cooler and may be primed for a more active day on Sunday. 

We have limited avalanche and snowpack information from this zone. If you visit this area, please consider submitting an observation.

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.

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the 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.