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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 22nd, 2020–Jan 23rd, 2020

Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

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Heavy snow and rain will cause a widespread natural avalanche cycle. Avalanches could grow very large and run full track to valley bottom. Avoid all avalanche terrain.

Discussion

Avalanche conditions will deteriorate over the next 24 hours with 2-3in of water expected and snow levels rising to 6000ft. Precipitation should fall as snow overnight, before a rapid transition to rain Thursday morning. Uncertainty exists regarding which type of avalanche problem you are most likely to encounter Thursday: wet slab, wet loose, storm slab, or a messy combination of all three. However, confidence is high that very dangerous avalanche conditions will develop, and large and destructive natural avalanches will become very likely. 

Incoming snow overnight will add to the 2ft of snow we’ve received since Tuesday. January precipitation totals recorded at Heather Meadows and the Mt. Baker Ski Area are overwhelming: 26in of water and 240in of snow (January 1-22).

The Mt. Baker Pro Patrol reported natural and triggered avalanches to size D2 on Wednesday. Avalanches broke as deep as 2ft, but the majority of avalanches were shallower, breaking within new and wind loaded snow 4-6in deep.

Snowpack Discussion

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

Problems

Wet Slabs

Wet Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) that is generally moist or wet when the flow of liquid water weakens the bond between the slab and the surface below (snow or ground). They often occur during prolonged warming events and/or rain-on-snow events. Wet Slabs can be very unpredictable and destructive.

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.