Bulletin d’avalanche

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Danger d’avalanche

Mon
Alpin
2 · Modéré
Limite forestière
1 · Faible
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

UPDATE: Avalanche Danger upgraded to MODERATE due to new snow and wind amounts. 

You could find lingering wind slabs on upper elevation terrain. Be prepared to make your own assessments as the size and likelihood of triggering an avalanche may increase depending on how much snow and wind we receive Saturday night into Sunday.  In isolated pockets such as at the top or side of a gully and around rocky outcroppings is where you will find this avalanche problem.  

 

Problèmes avalancheux

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slab avalanches are unlikely but may increase to possible as we receive up to 4 inches of snow at upper elevations Saturday night and Sunday. This fresh, redistributed snow is what's most likely to fail, but do not completely rule out the possibility of a slightly deeper slab failing.  Wind-textured snow surfaces or smooth pillow-like deposits are indicators of wind-loaded features. As these slabs are small and isolated, keep alert if you enter a steep slope because that is the most likely spot where you may trigger an avalanche. 

    Although unlikely, your highest chances of finding reactive wind slabs are around features near the top of a slope.

Avalanche Discussion

While the avalanche danger is low, continue to practice awareness of your surroundings and stay conscious of changing weather and snow conditions. Even small, isolated avalanches could pose a threat if you are above cliffs or around other terrain traps. Another challenge you will see on Sunday is hazardous conditions including variable icy surfaces, open creeks, and downed trees.

Observers reported an abundance of old wet and dry snow avalanches from the atmospheric river in the last few days of fair weather. Much of the precipitation from the Jan 10-13 event fell as rain to about 6000ft.  We now have a generally strong snowpack sitting beneath the crust at the surface of the rain-saturated snow. 

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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