Bollettino valanghe

Olympics

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Sun
Alta quota
3 · Marcato
Limite del bosco
3 · Marcato
Sotto il limite
2 · Moderato
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In sintesi

Saturday could be a sneaky storm day with new snow and wind ramping up the avalanche hazard during the day.  Approach wind-loaded slopes with freshly drifted snow cautiously and be prepared to move to lower angle and sheltered terrain if you see signs of increasing hazard.   

Problemi valanghivi

  • Storm Slabs

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

    The new snow could pile up quickly on Saturday during heavier showers, forming ideal conditions for shallow storm slabs to break naturally or by triggering on steep unsupported slopes.  These avalanches likely won't be large enough to bury you on their own, but could cause trouble around terrain traps like trees, rocks, etc.

    Your bigger concern is triggering a larger and more consequential slab avalanche on steep open slopes below ridgelines where winds form deeper drifts.  Avoid steep slopes directly below ridgelines where winds have freshly drifted snow, as well as more consquential terrain like rocky entrances to chutes at higher elevations. 

    You can use quick hand pits or uptrack tests to see how the new snow is bonding to the old surface or new storm layers.  Avalanches in the new snow are signs to avoid nearby steep terrain.  In more sheltered terrain, you may trigger loose snow avalanche on very steep slopes. 

    Shooting cracks in freshly drifted snow tells you that you might trigger a slab avalanche on nearby steep slopes.  

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

Heading into this weekend's storm cycle, the Hurricane Ridge area had received 10- 14" of snow over the past week from a few weather events. This recent snow sits above the 3/9 crust in the upper snowpack and has generally made for good stability, nice riding and travel conditions, and improved travel conditions at lower elevations. Shifting winds over the last week have drifted snow onto a variety of aspects and filled in some previously patchy areas along ridgelines.  Recent winds had also formed shallow wind slabs directly below ridgelines. The lower and mid-snowpack is strong and has a series of crusts. 

On Friday, NPS Rangers observed small human-triggered and natural loose dry avalanches (point releases ) on a variety of aspects during the first half of Friday.  By mid-day Friday under partly sunny skies, southerly aspects had moistened, and rollerballs were observed above road cuts to Hurricane Ridge.  Depending on how much southerly aspects softened on Friday, you may find a new crust has formed ahead of this weekend's storm.  

Regioni coperte