Storm Slabs
- Alpin
- Limite forestière
- Sous la limite forestière
- Probabilité
- Very Likely
- Taille
- 2–3
Friday will bring another day of impressive snowfall and very dangerous avalanche conditions to West Central. On top of the usual danger to backcountry travelers, avalanche danger forced the closure of Highway 20 at Newhalem and Highway 2 across Stevens Pass from Scenic to Leavenworth with debris from large avalanches running across and blocking both of those roadways. Danger will remain at this level with another 4" of precipitation [3' or more of new snow] in the forecast. Periods of strong wind will add additional load on leeward slopes. In addition to the usual avalanche activity in the new storm and wind slab layers, we will see avalanches break into deeper layers, entrain large amounts of snow and travel long distances.
Avoid all steep slopes where you will trigger an avalanche and be aware that naturally triggered, very large avalanches from higher terrain could run into lower elevations where they are not normally seen. Plan your route through backcountry terrain accordingly and consider coming back to be in the mountains on another day when conditions are more favorable.
(1/6/2022)
Debris pile from natural avalanche on Highway 20 near Newhalem, WA
Photo: WSDOT