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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 9th, 2019–Feb 10th, 2019

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
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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Pay attention to places where the wind piled up the recent snow. It’s these wind loaded slopes where you are most likely to trigger an avalanche Sunday. When you see snow drifts, or feel slightly firmer surface snow, avoid nearby slopes greater than 35 degrees.

Discussion

Snow and Avalanche Discussion

In a neighboring zone, we heard reports of shallow but reactive wind slabs in areas around the Mt Baker backcountry. In one instance, a backcountry traveler triggered a small wind slab while traveling on the ridgeline. Observations from higher elevations were limited Saturday, but expect similar conditions with somewhat deeper slabs.

We don’t know exactly how much snow fell in this area, but we estimate 6-12” of low density storm snow fell from Friday afternoon through Saturday. This snow may be very non-cohesive and poorly bonded to the underlying snow surface. We don’t expect a storm slab developed, but keep monitoring for this potential problem, particularly in areas receiving direct sunshine.

Snowpack Discussion

Regional Synopsis Coming Soon

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.