Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 18th, 2019–Mar 19th, 2019

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

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Hot spring-like weather will continue to drive changes in the mountain snowpack as it impacts higher and higher elevations and more shades slopes. Give the mountains some space to make this transition. Steer away from steep open slopes and avoid traveling in areas where avalanches can run and stop.

Discussion

Snow and Avalanche Discussion

On Tuesday we’ll be experiencing our fourth day of above freezing temperatures in the West-North zone. The mountain snowpack is struggling as it makes this transition and adjusts to the hot weather. NWAC staff in the Mt Baker area Monday observed several large loose wet avalanches on a variety of aspects in the near treeline band. Avalanches on steep southerly aspects near the Canadian border ran long distances and entrained significant amounts of snow.

During spring periods like this, plan for changing conditions. Slopes you travel on in the morning can be very different by mid-day. Be leery of traveling near or under cornices. They are experiencing the stress of this heat too and may fail without warning.

Snowpack Discussion

New Regional Synopsis Coming Soon

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.

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.