Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 10th, 2020 10:00AM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

Northwest Avalanche Center NWAC, Northwest Avalanche Center

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Very dangerous avalanche conditions are expected especially on Mt Rainier, Mt St Helens, and Mt Adams as a potent winter storm continues to dump snow on the region. Avoid all slopes greater than 35 degrees and limit your exposure to areas where avalanches could run and stop.

Summary

Discussion

Despite differences in expected snow totals, this winter storm is piling up snow and driving up the avalanche danger. Some slopes, particularly at upper elevations, could reach a tipping point and natural avalanches could occur. The current storm pattern should favor snow accumulation in the West-South zone, particularly on the volcanoes. Two to three inches of water (2-3ft of snow) is expected for Paradise and similar numbers could occur at Mt St Helens and Mt Adams. Higher uncertainty exists for snow totals in areas such as Crystal and White Pass. Pay attention to the weather by checking weather stations and observing snowfall and wind as you travel. When conditions line-up with the weather forecast, the avalanche forecast likely applies. If you find conditions differ from what you expect, you could be dealing with different avalanche conditions. With such cold temperatures, any unstable snow may take longer than normal to heal. Be patient and give the snowpack time to adjust.

Snowpack Discussion

January 9th, 2020 (The regional synopsis is updated every Thursday @ 6 pm)

 

As we said Happy New Year and rang in 2020, snow was turning to rain at many trailheads and lower elevation Passes, not exactly the fresh start winter recreationalists had in mind. The snowpack was already looking a little thin throughout the region, especially at lower elevations. Low snow in places like Snoqualmie Pass made backcountry travel difficult and hazardous.  NWAC’s snow depth climatology report was showing snow depths 25-64% of normal to kick off the start of 2020.

Things can change quickly in the Pacific Northwest and they did as we entered an extended storm cycle between January 2nd to January 8th. Strong winds, fluctuating temperatures, and heavy precipitation offered few breaks in the weather over this period limiting observations and hampering travel. Despite periods of rain at lower elevations, most areas saw several feet of new snow with big jumps in total snow depths as a westerly storm track strongly favored the West Slopes of the Cascades and the Olympics for the highest precipitation totals.

 

Location

Total Snow Depth (in) 1/2/20

Total Snow Depth (in) 1/8/20

Hurricane Ridge

31

51

Heather Meadows Mt Baker

55

95

Washington Pass

49

74

Stevens Pass

41

63

Snoqualmie Pass

22

33

Alpental mid-mountain

44

63

Crystal Mt Green Valley

40

66

Paradise Mt Rainier

54

105

White Pass Upper

43

69

Timberline

36

57

Mt Hood Meadows

36

53

 

We may have started with a shallow snowpack, but most locations increased their snowpack by 70% or more over this storm cycle!

During this extended and impressive storm cycle that included backcountry avalanche warnings, natural avalanches were reported in many areas Jan 6th-7th.

The Stevens Pass area was especially active over the period with over 100(!) avalanche observations made on the 6th and 7th. Professionals reported numerous avalanches in places that they hadn't previously observed avalanches and some paths avalanched multiple times in a 24 hour period. Observers reported a few very large (size D2.5-3) avalanches, originating at upper elevations with deeper crowns that likely formed from wind drifting. Topping off an active couple of days, warming temperatures lead to a widespread loose wet avalanche cycle.

The southern Washington Cascades, the Wentachee Mountains and Mt. Hood either saw less precipitation, warmer temperatures leading to more rain than snow, or some combination of the two and ended up with relatively less active avalanche conditions than areas further north. 

A large natural avalanche on Rock Mountain near Berne along Hwy 2 east of Stevens Pass that released Jan 6th or 7th. Photo: Josh Hirshberg 1/7/20

Many small storm slabs released in the Crystal backcountry 1/6-1/7. Pinwheels in the photo suggest loose wet avalanche activity occurred when temperatures rose above freezing and snow turned to rain.

Another active and colder weather pattern is on it’s way. Enjoy yourself out there and be sure to check the forecast before heading out. Remember, NWAC is a community-supported avalanche center and when you submit an observation you make the forecast better!

-Peter Moore

It’s getting deeper! Photo: Jeremy Allyn

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

The West-South zone should receive a substantial amount of snow. When storms are this strong, it’s time to dial in back and be conservative. Steer around any slope greater than 35 degrees. Don’t forget about the start zones above you. Limit your exposure to any large avalanche path. In areas where the wind drifted the snow into thicker and firmer slabs, you could trigger larger and more destructive avalanches.

You can investigate storm slabs on any open slope away from avalanche terrain. Look for strong over weak snow, cracking, and small slope tests that produce micro avalanches. These can be signs that storm slabs exist and are likely present and larger as you ascend in elevation.

Release of a soft cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within the storm snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slab problems typically last between a few hours and few days. 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.

 

You can reduce your risk from Storm Slabs by waiting a day or two after a storm before venturing into steep terrain. Storm slabs are most dangerous on slopes with terrain traps, such as timber, gullies, over cliffs, or terrain features that make it difficult for a rider to escape off the side.

 

Storm slabs usually stabilize within a few days, and release at or below the trigger point. They exist throughout the terrain, and can be avoided by waiting for the storm snow to stabilize.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1

Valid until: Jan 11th, 2020 10:00AM