Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Problemi valanghivi

• 

  Loose Wet

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alta quota
  • Limite del bosco
  • Sotto il limite del bosco

  Probabilità

  Possible

  Dimensione

  1–2

  Sunny conditions and mild temperatures will destabilize the snow surface as the day warms, making loose snow avalanches possible on steep slopes ranging from E-S-W. Humans may trigger these avalanches or they can release naturally near exposed rocks/cliff bands. They begin at a point and fan out to collect debris as they move downslope. They are commonly small but can really pack a punch in the wrong terrain or push a rider into consequential areas. These will primarily appear as wet loose avalanches; however, solar-induced dry-loose avalanches can also occur on shady slopes and remain as dry snow but essentially be triggered by the same mechanisms of a wet loose avalanche (i.e., solar input or human movement). 

  Watch for obvious signs that the warm sun is wetting the surface of the snow. Thinly covered rocks and cliffs are the first areas to shed. Small roller balls or pinwheels of moist snow can be an early warning that loose snow slides may follow. Pay attention to what's above you. You can largely avoid this problem by sticking to colder, shaded aspects or lower-angle terrain.

  

• 

  Wind Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alta quota
  • Limite del bosco
  • Sotto il limite del bosco

  Probabilità

  Possible

  Dimensione

  1–2

  Wind slabs continue to build in the alpine, with moderate to strong winds that have shifted direction over the past several days spanning multiple aspects. The wind can weave in and out of rocky features and craft unexpected slabs across complex mountain terrain; expect cross-loaded features or pockets of winded snow on a variety of aspects in the upper elevations. Most of these avalanches will be small—and in isolated spots—but could knock you off your feet in exposed terrain. Watch for active loading/cross-loading in unusual places, given the atypical wind direction over the last several days. Avoid very steep slopes with signs of wind loading or visual signs of recent wind transport.

  Per usual, steer clear of being below or too close to the edge of any cornice. March is the time of year when these beasts tend to destabilize and trigger larger avalanches on the slopes below.