Avalanche Forecast

Wind slab will most likely be found on north to southeast aspects near and above tree line, except locally on west-northwest aspects near the Cascade Passes. Light to moderate NW winds may redistribute recent snowfall to lee SE slopes above treeline Tuesday. Any wind slab avalanches should remain within recent storm layers. Test for inverted strong over weak storm snow and give cornices a wide margin.

As the deep recent snow continues to gradually settle, loose dry slides should be less likely, however watch for sun breaks affecting steep S facing slopes as this may rapidly consolidate surface snow and allow for propagation of shallow slab releases or some natural loose wet slides which may trigger slab releases, such as seen in the Mt Baker area Monday.

There have been snow immersion fatalities in tree wells already this season at Snoqualmie and in Canada. Recent unconsolidated storm snow is still very deep in places with possible large tree wells lurking, so stick near your partner in the trees and maintain visual contact.  

For the week ending on Dec. 24th, a snowy and cool storm cycle brought 5-9 feet of snowfall along the west slopes. Only light additional accumulations over the last few days have allowed the snowpack to gradually settle, but it remains deep out there with generally great skiing and riding!

With that said, there have been numerous triggered wind slabs ranging from the Mt Baker to Snoqualmie Pass areas, both Sunday and Monday.

Most recently, Monday the 28th NWAC observer Lee Lazzara in the Mt Baker area traveled above Bagley towards Mt Hermann and during a late morning sun break observed a loose wet natural release from the S slopes of Mt Hermann that triggered a slab release that ran a fair distance. There was evidence of another ski triggered wind slab from Monday as well, on a steep SSW facing slope. These wind slab deposits were evident in a variety of aspects from recent wind redistribution. While there are plenty of great snow conditions, it is still prudent to remain cautious of large unsupported features and avoid large slopes with big consequences.

Jeff Ward traveled in the Stevens Pass area Monday to near tree line. In that area, only small, isolated wind transport was noted, mainly to some exposed W facing slopes below ridges where the shallow wind stiffened snow overlaid weaker snow. In this area, no avalanches were noted and the snowpack was gaining strength and remained with a good profile of gradually increasing density, providing excellent ski quality, however no observations were made above tree line.   

Alpental pro-patrol did observe local east winds at Snoqualmie Pass Sunday and report wind loading built thin wind slabs over weaker snow near treeline Sunday.