Avalanche Forecast
Jan 27th, 2019–Jan 28th, 2019
Alpine
2:
Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2:
Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2:
Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
2:
Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2:
Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2:
Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Regions: Cascades - East.
The Bottom Line: Warm temperatures and sun are keeping the danger heightened. If you are heading to upper elevations or less traveled terrain, use caution on slopes 35 degrees and steeper. Stay off of steep slopes if you see shooting cracks in the snow or experience collapses.
Snow and Avalanche Discussion
Warming of the snow surface has a few concerns on our minds. You could trigger isolated loose wet avalanches on sunny slopes with extreme, rocky terrain or areas of shallow snow. If you sink to the top of your boots in wet snow, it's time to move to more supportive, cooler snow. Additionally, cornices commonly fall with prolonged warming. Limit your exposure and avoiding traveling on or below these features.
Monday will be another day of warm temperatures and sun. You may still find soft, wet snow on steep sunny slopes. Most loose wet avalanches you will see are at least a few days old or from a rain event on the 23rd. A number of factors will help keep snow surfaces slightly more frozen on Monday. Air temperatures should drop a bit and an easterly wind will cool the surface snow.
Check out the Regional Synopsis tab for details on the last weeks storm and avalanche activity.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
Minimize exposure to large, steep slopes. Put a large buffer of terrain between where you travel and any steep slopes. Look for shooting cracks, and listen closely for whumphs. If you observe these signs of instability, stay out of avalanche terrain.
You may be able to trigger avalanches more easily in the Wenatchee Mountains. East of Hwy 97, the main concern lies in triggering deeper layers. Here, the snowpack is shallow and variable. Avoid areas of thick slabs adjacent to thin, rocky slopes.
Further west, the main layer of concern is a layer of surface hoar that was buried on the 17th. You can find this layer down a foot or two below the surface. Snowpack tests can help identify these weak layers. Lack of evidence in one profile or test often isn't enough information to make sound decisions from.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3