Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 7th, 2020–Jan 8th, 2020

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

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Use caution near slopes 35 degrees and steeper especially above 5,000 feet. Give the snowpack another day to adjust before venturing into big terrain. Over the past 4 days, a storm brought snowfall and rain adding stress and new layers to the snow on the ground.

Discussion

Recent avalanches abound! While observations have been limited in this zone, observers in neighboring forecast areas near Stevens and Washington Passes have reported widespread avalanches, including some that were very large and dangerously surprising. Check out the Stevens Pass forecast if you are heading to areas near the Cascade Crest such as Icicle Creek, the Teanaway and Salmon la Sac drainages. If you are going into the northern portion of the zone, near Holden Village, expect conditions more similar to Washington Pass. Rain fell to between 4,500-5,000ft on Tuesday.

A very large avalanche (D2.5) with a deep crown just west of the East Central zone, on Rock Mountain, southeast, 6,000ft. 1/7/2020. Photo: Josh Hirshberg

Snowpack Discussion

New Regional Synopsis coming soon. We update the Regional Synopsis every Thursday at 6 pm.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). 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.