Bollettino valanghe

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Mon
Alta quota
3 · Marcato
Limite del bosco
3 · Marcato
Sotto il limite
3 · Marcato
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In sintesi

Human-triggered avalanches are likely on steep slopes. Avoid steep open slopes, or areas in avalanche terrain with terrain traps like trees, rocks, gullies, or cliffs lower in the path. Ski area slopes, if accessible, should be treated like backcountry terrain, as avalanche mitigation work has not begun for the winter.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Loose Wet

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

    Freezing levels rising to 4000' mean we may get a little rain on snow at lower elevations. If you notice snow getting sticky or moist and start seeing rollerballs running down steep slopes, avoid steep nearby areas and the runouts beneath the steep slopes. It's uncertain how much rain we'll get at elevations with consistent snow cover on Sunday. Much of the wet snow activity may wait until Monday as freezing levels rise.  

    (4/7/2023) Example photo:  Piles of rollerballs like this indicate the snow surface is becoming wet and unstable. Photo: Dallas Glass

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Two remotely triggered avalanches were reported on Saturday and backcountry travelers encountered plenty of whumphing. You can read reports HERE and HERE. Storm intensity will slow a bit on Sunday, but avalanche activity will continue.  Avoid all steep slopes and high-consequence terrain where you're more likely to get injured or buried if caught in an avalanche. Snow from yesterday and today will probably be wind-affected, and the wind-drifted slopes can be more reactive.

    Most of the avalanches from Saturday involved failures just beneath the new snow layer on weak, faceted crystals on north-facing slopes. These formed during high pressure the previous week. A lot of uncertainty exists as to how widespread this layer is. Avoiding slopes greater than 30° and not lingering in terrain beneath steep slopes during this period of uncertainty are the best actions to take at this time. 

    (12/2/2023)

    A remotely triggered avalanche in the 10 Minute Trees area of the Baker backcountry. NW, 4800ft. The crown was 50-100cm deep. It ran at the new/old interface, on facets. SS-ASr-R2-D2-I

    Photo: Zack McGill- Cascade Mtn Ascents

Avalanche Discussion

A natural avalanche cycle happened Friday night during peak snowfall. Minimal additional precipitation is expected Saturday night, and we may get about 6", or half an inch of water, during the day Sunday.  This small amount of new snow isn't expected to be enough to tip the scale into high avalanche danger, but taking a more conservative approach to the day isn't a bad idea as there is uncertainty in the snowpack.

Backountry travel is getting difficult as the snow gets heavier and deeper. Lower elevations are still mainly below threshold, with only a couple feet of snow on the ground. Travel at mid elevations is improving but the snowpack still harbors hidden hazards. New snow will barely hide early-season hazards that could ruin your day if you encounter them. 

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