Eastside Region

Problèmes avalancheux

• 

  Loose Wet

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alpin
  • Limite forestière
  • Sous la limite forestière

  Probabilité

  Possible

  Taille

  1–1.5

  A combination of warm temperatures, light wind, and increasing cloud cover means wet surface snow could develop on steep slopes near and below treeline. Watch for signs that wet snow is becoming unstable.

  Rollerballs or pinwheels and sinking deeply into wet snow are signs of instability that often foreshadow larger point-release avalanches. Rocky terrain, steep vegetated slopes, and areas with shallow snow cover will warm the most. Wet Loose avalanches often fail from a single point and entrain heavy snow as they move downhill. Travel early when the snow surface is colder. Plan your trips to avoid crossing on or under very steep slopes in the afternoon. Move to colder slopes or lower slope angles once the snow surface turns slushy. Avoid steep slopes above terrain traps, cliffs, and sustained steep pitches.

  

• 

  Wind Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alpin
  • Limite forestière
  • Sous la limite forestière

  Probabilité

  Unlikely

  Taille

  1–2

  Strong southwest wind on Wednesday night redistributed and stiffened snow on open slopes. There was more loose surface snow available for transport in the northern half of the forecast area, where blowing snow was more widespread. Recently deposited drifts and cornices became less sensitive yesterday. 

  Hard wind slabs can catch you by surprise, cracking from the edges where they’re softer and thinner. They can break above you. It’s worth assessing for textured, hollow snow in steep, exposed terrain. Use caution in chutes and gullies and on the leeward sides of ridgelines. Shooting cracks and collapsing in drifted snow are warning signs to dial back your slope angle or seek out softer snow in wind-sheltered areas.