Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 10th, 2019–Jan 11th, 2019

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

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Cascades - West.

The Bottom Line: We are transitioning from a stormy period to a period of calmer weather. The snowpack is transitioning too. Be patient for a few days as this takes time. You may find lingering storm slabs at higher elevations, on convex rolls, and in locations where the wind drifted the snow. You are more likely to trigger these avalanches where wind has increased the snow loading. If the sun comes out steep, sunny slopes are likely to produce natural, small, loose avalanches.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

If you travel above the recent rain line, you will find significant recent snow. An inch or two of water equivalent fell in this zone Wednesday through Wednesday night with 3-6” in the past week. Fluctuating freezing levels and moderate winds have left us with unstable storm slabs in some locations that will be heavy and powerful if triggered. These slabs will slowly heal over the next few days, but that takes time. On Friday, you will be most likely to trigger an avalanche on convex rollovers, unsupported slopes, and in locations where the wind has drifted the snow into firmer, thicker slabs. Use visual clues like fresh cornices and snow drifts to identify terrain over 35 degrees that you want to avoid.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 2

Loose Wet

If you experience sun breaks or strong filtered sunshine, expect loose wet avalanches from steep, rocky, sunny slopes. These avalanches may occur naturally during sunny periods. Don’t let this easier to predict avalanche problem catch you off guard. Don’t linger in confining locations like gullies and near creeks, where even small loose avalanche can bury you deeply. At higher elevations will be , loose wet avalanches could act as a trigger for larger slab avalanches. If you begin to see natural loose avalanches, consider avoiding traveling under or through larger avalanche prone slopes.

Aspects: South East, South, South West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 1