Bollettino valanghe

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

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

In sintesi

You may still find and be able to trigger a pocket of wind drifted snow on upper elevation shady slopes. Presence of these slabs could vary greatly throughout the zone, so it's up to you to evaluate and avoid as you travel. Our third day of blue skies means wet avalanche activity has probably slowed, but remain alert for activity while traveling on or beneath steep sunny slopes during the height of the day. 

Problemi valanghivi

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Uncertainty exists, and observations are limited throughout the zone. Small to medium sized wind slabs were still catching people out through Saturday. Moderate wind continued on Monday with some transport noted, but reactive wind slabs weren't found, at least in the Baker backcountry. 

    You may still find a sneaky upper elevation wind slab that could react to a human trigger on shady aspects. Identify stiffer snow beneath you, and heed obvious clues like long shooting cracks. Avoid steep slopes in these areas. When you change elevations and aspect evaluate whether any changes to the snow have happened as well.  Your largest concern is triggering an avalanche in high consequence terrain, where you might get buried deep in a gully or dragged over rocks, through trees, or over a cliff.  

    (12/1/2024) Skier triggered wind slabs on North aspects directly below of Table Mountain Photo: Clinton Alden

  • Loose Wet

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

    Most wet avalanche activity happened over the weekend when the blue skies first hit us hard. We're in a steady weather pattern now, and south-facing snow has transitioned to melt-freeze at and near the surface. A crust forms overnight and softens, becoming moist,  during the day. 

    The odd wet loose or glide avalanche may still run. Small, thinner patches of snow over rocks at lower to mid elevations are most likely to avalanche unexpectedly, like in the usual rocky locations in the Baker backcountry. If you start seeing any snow sliding or if you're sinking several inches into the snowpack, time to reevaluate and move to shadier slopes. 

    (12/2/2024) (12/2/24)

    Roller balls releasing below Artist Point Photo: Robert Shughart

Avalanche Discussion

Expect crusty snow surfaces on south facing slopes and at lower elevations, until they start softening mid-morning. The sun will first begin softening more easterly slopes before transitioning south and finally westerly in the afternoon. Several observers have noted that despite all the blue skies and sunlight it's not really too warm and surprisingly not causing more avalanche activity or wetting of the snow. It's early December, and the sun is at a low angle in the sky. We see sun for a much shorter period of the day than in April as well. 

On shady aspects you may find wind drifted snow or nice powder. Surface hoar and near surface facets have been found at and near the surface, as they usually form during high pressure (OBSERVATION). Don't forget that it's still early season, and thin snow cover at lower elevations is a always a concern to keep on your mind. 

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