Bollettino valanghe

West Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Sat
Alta quota
1 · Debole
Limite del bosco
1 · Debole
Sotto il limite
1 · Debole
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In sintesi

You may still find unstable snow in isolated areas on the volcanoes, but avalanches are unlikely throughout the majority of the West South. Keep an eye out for wet snow on sunny slopes by afternoon, and lingering wind drifts high in the alpine. Variable snow surfaces and challenging travel conditions may be the greatest hazard of your day.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Loose Wet

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

    Friday afternoon should be warm and sunny, particularly on the volcanoes - the same areas that picked up more snow during the storm earlier in the week. The sun should thaw the recent storm snow on E-S-W aspects and possibly cause some small wet loose avalanches. Over the past several days, periods of sunshine have already altered the snow on southerly slopes in most locations. Regardless, watch for rollerballs and moist snow surfaces as warning signs. Time your day and have a backup plan to move to shadier or lower angled slopes if necessary. Use caution in very steep terrain and around terrain traps like cliffs and gullies where even small wet avalanches could be dangerous.

    (2/17/2022)

    Rollerballs above the road to Paradise

    Photo: NPS Rainier Rangers

Avalanche Discussion

Wind speeds should gradually decrease over the next 24 hours, and there may not be much soft snow left to blow around. Recent wind events even scoured many upper elevation slopes at White Pass and Crystal Mt. Paradise on the other hand picked up 4-6in of snow Tuesday night. If you venture high into the alpine, keep your eye out for simple clues like blowing snow, wind-scoured slopes, and smooth drifts to anticipate and avoid potential wind slabs. 

The recent weather pattern has taken its toll on the snowpack. Warm temperatures, sunshine, and strong winds all played a role in creating a wide variety of snow surfaces. Icy slopes, rough frozen snow, pockets of powder, and breakable crust have all been reported. Additionally, many shallow spots in the snowpack near ridges and cliffs melted back to bare ground. Over this time rocks, trees, and creeks reemerged. In some ways, the greatest hazard you face may come from navigating the variable travel conditions and numerous obstacles 

If there’s a silver lining to the warm and sunny weather, it’s that it created a very strong and well-settled snowpack. While you may find the Late January Crust-Facets in some areas, we don’t anticipate any avalanches on this layer at this time. We expect any avalanche issue to remain in the surface snow near and above the Valentine’s Day crust. Fortunately, this should make observing this shallow interface very easy. 

We’re expecting a significant winter storm this weekend and we need your help. Send us your observations and photos of the snow surface before Saturday’s storm. Often today’s snow is tomorrow’s weak layer. Thanks for all your support!

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