Bollettino valanghe

East Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Tue
Alta quota
2 · Moderato
Limite del bosco
1 · Debole
Sotto il limite
1 · Debole
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In sintesi

At upper elevations, you could trigger a loose avalanche or a wind-drifted slab. We expect these problems to be most likely in very steep terrain at upper elevations. Watch for cracking in wind-stiffened surfaces or energetic sluffs that keep moving downhill as signs to choose more moderate slope angles. 

Problemi valanghivi

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    1–1.5

    Recent snow and winds formed slabs on the leeward slopes at upper elevations and in isolated areas at mid-elevations.  These wind slabs won't be deep, but there is some concern that they may break wider than you expect where they formed over older, weaker snow.  Small avalanches would be especially problematic in high-consequence terrain, like in chutes or above cliffs.  Shooting cracks, textured or wind-stiffened snow, or unstable snow on test slopes are easy ways to gauge the wind slab hazard.  Overhanging large cornices dot the mountain landscape.  Give them plenty of space along ridgelines, and don't linger on slopes below them. 

    Fast-moving dry loose avalanches running on melt-freeze crusts should also be on your radar. While they tend to be more predictable than slab avalanches, you could trigger one onto your partners below and push them into terrain traps such as gullies, trees, or rocks. Practice good terrain management and stop out of the run-outs in steep terrain to avoid getting sluffed out. 

    (1/3/2025)

    Shooting cracks in wind drifted snow on Delancy Ridge at 6600ft on a SW aspect.

    Photo: Katie Warren

Avalanche Discussion

Monday should be mostly cloudy, with minimal precipitation for the bulk of the East North zone. However, there is potential for areas farther east in the zone to receive a few inches of snow. These eastern areas have a shallower and weaker snowpack. A few inches of snow won't likely tip the bucket for avalanche concerns, but it could preserve weak surfaces. 

Reports from observers on Saturday noted natural and triggered small wind slab avalanches in higher elevation terrain.  Sunday brought significant sunshine and a cycle of loose avalanches. The sun warmed up southern slopes and they are likely to have a melt-freeze crust on the surface. 

Avalanche concerns are currently fairly isolated. But the primary concern going forward is a poor bond at the new/old snow interface (2/13) as we wait for more snow to stack up.  The fresh snow fell on weak faceted grains and surface hoar, now buried 4-6" deep. There are a few crusts in the top 1.5-2 feet of the snowpack, and some have weak snow adjacent to them. The February 7th crust was 6-8" below the surface, and the January 28th crust is below that, at a total depth of 10-16."  On Friday, observers in the Chewuch noted both crusts had weakened on shady aspects, with the upper 2/7 crust barely discernible in some northerly terrain.

Regioni coperte