Bulletin d’avalanche

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Danger d’avalanche

Sat
Alpin
2 · Modéré
Limite forestière
2 · Modéré
Sous la limite
1 · Faible
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Périmé — ce bulletin a expiré 6 years ago. Vous consultez des conditions passées, pas le bulletin en cours.

Points saillants

It’s Christmas Day, but you can still trigger wind slab avalanches. Look and feel for stiffer deposits of snow on lee features, in gullies and around rocky outcroppings. Investigate their presence on slopes steeper than 35 degrees before committing to that terrain. 

Problèmes avalancheux

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpin
    • Limite forestière
    • Sous la limite forestière
    Probabilité
    Possible
    Taille
    1–2

    Small wind slab avalanches were triggered in the West North zone on Thursday. You can find the observation here. I expect similar conditions in the West Central zone on Friday. Those avalanches were small, but larger ones are not out of the question.  Especially at higher elevations, look for redistributed snow with bare patches stripped back to the 12/21 crust and pockets loaded up to 2 feet deep. Stiffer or hollow feeling snow is a good indicator of these wind loaded deposits. Avoid the loading in steep terrain where reactivity is uncertain. Not enough snow is forecasted to raise the avalanche danger on Friday, but watch out because the new snow may hide wind slabs and slippery patches under a fresh coat of snow.

    A small wind slab avalanche on a lee N aspect remotely triggered near the Coleman Pinnacle on Thursday. Photo: Peter Sundberg

Avalanche Discussion

In nearby zones (Stevens Pass and the East Slopes) weak persistent grains formed and were buried well over a week ago.  Avalanches haven’t occurred on this layer in several days. If you dig a snow profile, look for weak snow above the prominent 12/09 crust buried 3-4ft deep. While travelling at mid and upper elevations where this layer may still exist, consider limiting your exposure to large avalanche terrain until we know more.

If you’re lucky enough to get out in the West Central zone on Christmas Day, let us know what the snow and avalanche conditions were like by submitting an observation.  Have a happy holiday, whether you’re able to make it out on Friday or not.  

During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, continue to follow the latest guidance from local, state, and federal health officials. Avoid unnecessary risks that could impact first responders and stress medical resources.  Wear a mask when appropriate, practice social distancing, and consider recreating closer to home.

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