Bollettino valanghe

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Wed
Alta quota
3 · Marcato
Limite del bosco
2 · Moderato
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

Rounds of new snow continue to build slabs overlaying weak layers in the snowpack. These slabs will be more sensitive in wind-affected areas. Stick to lower angle, wind-sheltered terrain if you see signs of instability such as cracking, collapsing, and recent slab avalanches.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Storm Slabs

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

    New snow over the next 24 hours will add to recent storm layers. This snow will initially have a poor bond to the recent snow beneath it and it may be easy to trigger sluffs of dry snow. In total, you will encounter 1-2 ½ foot slabs of new and recent snow that overlay buried weak layers in the snowpack. You could trigger a large avalanche on these layers that are being tested for the first time this season. In complex and exposed terrain, you may find deeper and denser slabs where the wind has transported snow. You will be more likely to trigger an avalanche in similar terrain.

    As the snow continues to stack up and settle, monitor the snowpack for signs of instability. Take the time to stomp around off the skin or sled track and on safe test slopes representative of the slopes you plan to ski or sled. Be on the lookout for indications that storm snow is unstable. Cracks shooting out from your skis or sled, collapsing, and recent avalanches are #1 indicators that the snow is unstable. If you find any of these, avoid slopes steeper than 30 degrees.

    (12/14/2024)

    A small slab of recent storm snow triggered recently in the East Central zone.

    Photo: Mike Rolfs

Avalanche Discussion

The series of storms impacting the zone this week are putting the first true test of strength onto buried weak layers. Near crust facets around the 12/7 melt freeze crust have been observed throughout the forecast region. Up to 1 inch of water is expected to fall by Tuesday afternoon which is a significant enough load that we expect to see avalanche activity.

An observer reported natural wind slab avalanches in the nearby East Central zone on Monday. This is a great example of where wind affected snow may be found in more exposed terrain. If you plan to venture into similar terrain, assess the snowpack for an increase in density, as this often indicates an increase in sensitivity.

There will be a significant warming trend that will begin impacting the zone late in the day on Tuesday. The exact timing of this is uncertain but when it happens, we will likely see rain on snow that will rapidly increase avalanche danger. If you are out on Tuesday and find yourself getting rained on, mark that as the time to get out of avalanche terrain. Check the forecast on Tuesday morning for a potential update on this.

The East South zone still lacks enough of a snowpack at lower elevations for avalanche hazard to be increased. But be on the lookout for low tide hazards that may exist under very little snow and be obscured from view.

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