Central Cascades

Problèmes avalancheux

• 

  Wind Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alpin
  • Limite forestière
  • Sous la limite forestière

  Probabilité

  Likely

  Taille

  1–2

  As new snow comes in, the wind will be moving it to lee terrain. Observe where blowing snow is moving and where that snow is landing. Look for visual clues to such as ripples in the snow or pillowy drifts to identify loaded slopes. Below ridges and highpoints are common places where wind slabs can be triggered. As wind moves snow across open slopes, gully features in particular can become 'cross loaded' and filled in with new wind slabs.  Cracking in the wind deposited snow and recent avalanches are good indicators that you can trigger an avalanche. Wind slabs can be avoided by sticking to sheltered areas or slopes that have been scoured by the wind. 

  Use carefull evaluation in areas of sparse trees, clearings, and sections of dead forests. Open areas 'below treeline' can get enough blowing snow to create wind slabs.

• 

  Storm Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alpin
  • Limite forestière
  • Sous la limite forestière

  Probabilité

  Possible

  Taille

  1–1.5

  Cold light snow will come in overnight with heavier snow coming in on Saturday as the temperature rises. This has the chance to create a classic heavy over light snow situation making storm slabs possible. The high end of the snow forecast calls for 13" by Saturday afternoon. If we see 8" or more of new snow, be cautious on steep slopes and above or around terrain traps. Look for small steep test slopes you can utilize to check for slabs moving or other signs of unstable snow before going into bigger and steeper terrain.

  Small dry loose avalanches will be possible in the morning in steep terrain.