Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 24th, 2019–Jan 25th, 2019

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

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The Bottom Line: Avalanche conditions continue to gradually improve, however, new fresh wind slabs may form in open terrain above treeline Friday. Avoid open slopes greater than 35 degrees, and any slopes receiving wind transported snow, where it will still be possible to trigger avalanches. During extended sun breaks, watch for the potential for wet avalanches on sunny slopes.

Snow and Avalanche Discussion

Unstable slabs continue to improve and stabilize following a natural avalanche cycle reported in the Mt. Baker zone during peak warming and precipitation Tuesday night. In addition, large loose wet avalanches released naturally during sun breaks Wednesday. Both of these avalanches types (Loose and Slab) entrained significant amounts of snow and ran long distances. The slab avalanche problem will continue to improve Friday but is more likely to persist above treeline.

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 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.