Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 12th, 2019–Jan 13th, 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

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

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

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Cascades - West.

The Bottom Line: Warmth and sunshine will translate into an increased chance for loose wet avalanches on steep, sunny slopes that haven't already avalanched. Most loose wet avalanches will be small, but pay attention near terrain traps and at higher elevations where they have the potential to be large enough to bury or injure you. If you travel to higher elevations or into very steep terrain, you may find lingering wind slabs on steep unsupported slopes.

Avalanche and Snowpack Discussion

It's been several days since the most recent snowfall in this zone. At higher elevations, moderate easterly winds moved snow onto unusual aspects earlier in the week with skier triggered wind slabs reported in neighboring zones to the north and south. Heading into the weekend, the western part of the zone including the Mountain Loop Hwy should have warmed up nicely Saturday and may have already seen a widespread wet loose avalanche cycle on steep sunny slopes. Areas closer to the Cascade crest were likely cooler and may be primed for a more active day on Sunday.

We have limited avalanche and snowpack information from this zone. If you visit this area, please consider submitting an observation.

Avalanche Problems

Loose Wet

With sunny skies and mild temperatures forecast Sunday, expect loose wet avalanches to release from steep, rocky, sunny slopes as the day progresses. Monitor changes in the upper snowpack, looking for natural pinwheels or small loose wet avalanches as clear signs of increasing danger. Avoid terrain traps like gullies where even a small avalanche can bury you. At higher elevations that have received more recent snow and have been slower to warm, these avalanches might become large.

Aspects: South East, South, South West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Above the most recent rain-line, you may still find and trigger older wind slabs on steep unsupported slopes at higher elevations. Due to easterly winds earlier in the week, wind slabs may still exist on a variety of aspects. Although the likelihood of triggering a wind slab avalanche should be decreasing, we don't have specific information from this zone which raises the uncertainty. Feeling for firm or hollow sounding snow provides clues that you may trigger a wind slab avalanche on nearby steep slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 2