Bollettino valanghe

West Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Sat
Alta quota
2 · Moderato
Limite del bosco
2 · Moderato
Sotto il limite
2 · Moderato
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Non aggiornato — questo bollettino è scaduto 5 years ago. Stai vedendo condizioni passate, non il bollettino in corso.

In sintesi

The recent snow will still pose an avalanche hazard on Friday on wind-affected features and in areas that see direct sunshine. When you notice drifts or fresh cornices steer around nearby steep slopes. If you find a wet sticky surface or notice new rollerballs, expect loose wet avalanches in similar terrain.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Loose Wet

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

    Sunshine on Friday morning could cause the new snow to become wet and unstable. Pay attention to the snow surface as you travel. When you notice it becoming sticky or see new rollerballs, the snow surface is primed and ready. Small natural loose wet avalanches may follow. When you see these simple clues, steer around similar slopes and seek out colder and drier snow. While some areas saw sun breaks Thursday afternoon, much of the surface snow remained cold and dry.

    (1/23/2021) Example: Natural loose wet avalanches that occurred during a period of sunny weather following a storm earlier this winter. Photo: Susie Glass

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    1–2

    Wind slabs will still linger at mid and upper elevations Friday. While these slabs continue to gain strength and become harder to trigger, think about features in the terrain that might cause an avalanche. You may still trigger a wind slab especially near the base of cliffs, on convex rollovers, and in confined chutes. Watch for clues like textured surfaces, drifts, and sharp cornices to help you identify which slopes may harbor wind slabs. Seek out less wind-affected or lower angled routes through the terrain. These slabs formed over a firm crust in many areas that may allow slides to run faster and farther.

    (3/20/2021) Example: This small Wind Slab was triggered when a skier kicked a cornice onto the slope below. Fresh cornices can help indicate where Wind Slabs may exist. [NE 6600'; SS-ASc-D1-R1-S]

Avalanche Discussion

The mountains around the West-South zone picked up 6-8” of snow during this recent storm. Strong winds impacted much of the area, forming deep drifts and even scouring some slopes down to a recent crust. As a result, you could encounter a wide variety of snow surfaces on Friday. Expect soft powder, wind-affected snow, breakable crust, firm surfaces, and wet heavy snow. In many areas, the new snow fell over a firm crust (4/7). This could allow avalanches to fail easily or travel quickly. On more northerly aspects, this interface could hold settled snow, facets, or potentially surface hoar. Each of these was observed this past week in this zone. 

Even with the cooler temperatures and new snow, cornices and glide avalanches remain a hazard. These features can fail at any time. Pay attention to the slopes above you. Choose routes that help limit the amount of time you need to spend below looming cornices and crevasse-like glide cracks. 

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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