Bollettino valanghe

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

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

In sintesi

You're most likely to trigger an avalanche on wind-loaded slabs near ridgelines, on steep convex rolls, in gullies, and around outcroppings. Feel for thicker, heavier snow and search out wind-featured surfaces as locations to avoid on steep slopes. These locations, especially at higher elevations, are your largest concern, although non wind-affected areas may become more slablike if the snow gets heavier with increasing temperatures. 

Problemi valanghivi

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Most avalanche activity on Saturday occurred in wind-loaded areas, and you can expect triggering a wind slab avalanche to remain your largest concern on Sunday. I traveled to Canyon Creek Saturday, and we notices wind slabs along ridgelines and on steep rollovers. We didn't venture out onto them. Non-wind-affected snow didn't appear to have slablike qualities where we were, which was similar to what was reported from the Baker backcountry and explosives testing at the ski area. 

    Avalanches will probably slide within the new snow layer, or possibly on the underlying 3/31 crust. The crust is buried around a foot deep, but possibly a bit deeper in wind-loaded areas. The crust could act as a good sliding layer, where avalanches could run faster and farther than expected. You can expect the most reactive conditions as you gain elevation towards and above treeline. 

    Identify pillowlike or textured features and wind lips. Feel for thicker or heavier surfaces.  You may also see long cracks shooting out as you move. Remain on the lookout for actively blowing snow, as indicators of recent wind loading. Avoid slopes greater than 35° in areas where you identify any of these characteristics. 

    Signs of wind loading that can help you identify where a reactive slab may be present. 

    Photo: Dallas Glass

Avalanche Discussion

Sun breaks are possible, and small wet loose avalanches could run if steep slopes moisten enough. The new low-density snow could also run as dry sluffs on steep slopes as well. There is a small possibility that non-wind-loaded sloes, especially ones on the southerly half of the compass, could stiffen up, become slablike, and avalanche with a human trigger. 

Some pockets of soft snow beneath the new snow layer were still hanging on in mid-elevation terrain in areas both shaded and protected from the wind previous to the storm, during the large wind event. There's a small chance we could see bigger avalanches triggered by large loads or on a few slopes holding buried layers of surface hoar, near-surface facets, or near-crust facets. Please submit an observation if you get out on Sunday, as it'll help us provide a better forecast for you!

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