Bollettino valanghe

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Thu
Alta quota
2 · Moderato
Limite del bosco
2 · Moderato
Sotto il limite
1 · Debole
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Non aggiornato — questo bollettino è scaduto 5 years ago. Stai vedendo condizioni passate, non il bollettino in corso.

In sintesi

Expect very cold temperatures, sun, and light east wind for Wednesday.  You may be able to trigger slab avalanches on steep slopes in areas of recently wind-drifted snow. Steer around fresh wind drifts just below ridgetops near and above treeline.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Use caution on wind-exposed slopes 35 degrees and steeper and just below ridges. You can stay safe by steering around pillows of wind-drifted snow and by sticking to lower angled or wind-sheltered slopes. Wind slab avalanches are most likely at the highest elevations where drifts will be more consistent and could be deeper.  Pay attention as you move into wind-exposed terrain higher in the mountains. Anticipate that you may find wind-drifted slabs in unique locations. Watch for cracks in the snow and stiffer, sculpted surfaces as indicators of wind slab avalanches.

    Winds Monday night into Tuesday transported snow on a variety of slopes, especially on the highest ridges. While the dominant wind direction was easterly, localized terrain channeled the wind in a variety of directions. Older slabs that formed from west winds on Saturday are now difficult to trigger. 

Avalanche Discussion

Prepare for the coldest temperatures that we've seen since the new year. Cold temperatures are preserving light, dry snow on the surface.  You may be able to trigger small loose avalanches in the surface snow on very steep, wind-sheltered slopes. A storm brought about 2.5 feet of snow to the top of Stevens Pass Saturday through Sunday with some westerly winds overnight. 

Observers reported consistent wind transport and fresh slabs of wind-drifted snow near treeline in the Skyline Lake area on Tuesday. On Monday, a handful of small point releases (loose dry) were reported on steep slopes on both sunny and shaded aspects. On Sunday, Stevens Pass patrol triggered slab avalanches within the storm snow with ski cuts and explosives. A few of these were big enough to bury a person. Avalanche mitigation work and snowpack tests consistently showed a good bond at the Feb 19th and Valentine's crust interfaces. On mid to upper elevation shaded, northerly aspects, you may be able to find weak snow near these thin, rough crusts about 2.5-3 feet below the surface.

Regioni coperte