Bollettino valanghe

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Sun
Alta quota
2 · Moderato
Limite del bosco
1 · Debole
Sotto il limite
1 · Debole
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Non aggiornato — questo bollettino è scaduto 3 years ago. Stai vedendo condizioni passate, non il bollettino in corso.

In sintesi

Colder weather and a few inches of new snow should generally help the snowpack become more stable. However, higher in the terrain you may find a few small slabs on the downwind side of ridges and exposed features. Steer around pillow-like drifts below sharp cornices and in the tops of chutes.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Windy weather should easily turn the few inches of new snow from this storm into a fresh batch of slabs. You’re most likely to encounter pockets of wind-loaded snow at upper elevations, directly below cornices, along the base of cliffs, and in the tops of exposed chutes. Look for simple clues like textured surfaces and drifts to help you anticipate and spot these small wind slabs. Most of these potential avalanches should remain quite shallow. Just don’t let them knock you off your feet, push you over a cliff, or flush you down a couloir.

    (3/24/2023) A small wind slab pocket released in this confined terrain feature as a skier descended. Photo: Katie Warren

Avalanche Discussion

In the East South zone, most of the new snow lies very close to the Cascade crest. A big difference in storm totals lies between places like White Pass (~12-15 inches) and Darland Mt (~1-2 inches).  This pattern will continue with most of the shower activity Friday night and Saturday. So, expect more snow, but also the greatest avalanche danger in the western edge of the zone. 

On Saturday, the storm will wind down. You’ll likely see plenty of sunshine between a few scattered showers. While the strong March sun will quickly affect the surface, there’s just not that much new snow to result in a hazard. You probably only find piles of rollerballs and maybe a few very small loose wet slides. The potential for loose wet avalanches will grow in locations that received more than 4 inches of new snow. 

All this storm snow fell on a variety of surfaces formed over the past week. Warm and sunny weather created a crust on all but the highest shaded aspects. In some places, this could be very slick and icy, in others, more breakable and punchy. While we don’t have any direct information about high northerly aspects, if nearby zones are any indication, you may still find preserved soft dry snow in these locations. 

For more information about the deeper snowpack, check out NWAC Forecaster Katie Warren’s observation from Ahtanum Meadows this past week.

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