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RegisterFeb 10th, 2019–Feb 11th, 2019
Stevens Pass.
Dangerous avalanche conditions are to be expected. This storm pattern has been unusual, and will continue to produce low density snow along with storm slabs for Monday. We are tracking a commonly found persistent weak layer. This layer may produce deeper and more destructive avalanches and they may be triggered from a distance. Seek out slopes less than 33 degrees if you find slab structure over facets.
Prior to the storm cycle that started on February 8, the very cold temperatures turned a layer of low density snow into facets. These facets rest over a mostly supportable crust, and are fairly widespread above 5,000ft. Observers have reported multiple collapses on a wide range of aspects in recently wind loaded areas the past two days. As the fluffy snow becomes more cohesive above this layer and the storm snow continues to pile up, the size of the potential avalanches are increasing, and once the slab begins to communicate a fracture across the terrain, watch out. This is a fairly unusual situation for the Cascades, and one to be taken very seriously as the cold temperatures and snowfall continues into the week. Tell your friends to be safe out there, and hold them to it. This forecast may be updated at 0630 on Monday based on overnight storm totals.
Facets are angular snow grains that bond poorly to other grains around it. Once formed, buried, and preserved, they tend to persist in the snowpack. They are often the culprit of deep and destructive avalanches that result in accidents.