Storm Slabs
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Very Likely
- Size
- 2–3
This is a day to avoid traveling in or under all avalanche terrain. Avalanches are very likely on slopes 35 degrees or steeper. Strong wind could drive avalanches from upper elevations into below treeline areas. Some could be destructive and big enough to bury cars or break trees. Stay far out from under any avalanche paths and do not stop or linger in runout zones. With the potent storm and current snowpack, we know there will be avalanches but we're uncertain exactly how big and destructive these slides will be.
About 2 feet of snow accumulated since the 5th and you can expect another 2 feet to fall as snow above 3,500ft by the end of Friday. Expect wet avalanches at lower elevations. Avalanches could run on older layers in the top 3 feet of the snowpack, especially on steep solar aspects. Impacts of avalanches could include low elevation terrain where they are rarely a concern and roof avalanche hazards. Use caution near any steep, snow-covered slopes around town and near large roofs holding snow.
(12/24/2020) An example of avalanches from a widespread cycle in 2021. We could see similar activity on solar aspects on Thursday and Friday. Pine Creek, SE Photo: Matt Primomo