Bollettino valanghe

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Sat
Alta quota
3 · Marcato
Limite del bosco
2 · Moderato
Sotto il limite
2 · Moderato
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Non aggiornato — questo bollettino è scaduto 3 years ago. Stai vedendo condizioni passate, non il bollettino in corso.

In sintesi

As you climb in elevation, steer around pockets of wind drifted snow. These wind drifted slabs are expected to be largest and most reactive above treeline on Friday. Below the snow-line, rain on snow will continue to destabilize the snowpack, so consider moving to more simple terrain if you notice rollerballs or wet loose avalanches.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Wind Slabs

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

    New wind drifted slabs will start forming  as rain transitions back to snow. These wind drifted slabs are expected to be largest and most reactive above treeline.

    Look for these wind drifted slabs on the leeward side of ridges, below cornices, and near rock & cliff bands. Using visual clues such as blowing snow or looking for slopes that appear textured or ‘fat’ will help you identify slopes of concern. Surface textures like ripples, dunes, or pillow-like slabs are all clues that the wind has been at work. Shooting cracks are obvious signs that you found an unstable slab of drifted snow. 

    You can easily avoid this problem by sticking to slopes out of the wind zone or traveling on scoured surfaces and ridgelines. 

    (4/1/2023)

    Steer around wind loaded features if you notice signs like this. 

    Photo: Katie Warren

  • Loose Wet

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

    Warm, soggy conditions will help maintain the wet loose avalanche hazard. These wet loose slides likely ran their main course on Thursday, but you should still consider these at elevations where you notice rain or wet snow falling.  Steer around steep slopes if you notice active rollerballs/pinwheels or fresh wet loose avalanches. 

     

    Example of wet loose avalanche activity from a rain event in 2019.

Avalanche Discussion

Well, it's official, spring is starting to do its thing. Thursday brought warm and soggy conditions to the East South. Freezing levels are expected to slowly drop as a cold front pushes through the Cascades. Although, this won’t be that cold. You’ll likely see a mix of rain/snow at trailhead elevations and (hopefully) mostly snow above 5000’ or so. 

Leading up to this warm-up, NWAC forecasters in the White Pass backcountry near the border with the ES zone found 12" of cold, low-density snow above the 3/31 crust at 4500 ft. This suggests that areas near the western edge of the zone had 6-12" of cold, dry snow lingering on shaded aspects

Lower trailheads are melting out, and bare patches exist on some groomed trails.

If you get out, let us know what you see by submitting an observation!

 

 

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