Bollettino valanghe

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Wed
Alta quota
2 · Moderato
Limite del bosco
2 · Moderato
Sotto il limite
2 · Moderato
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In sintesi

Temperatures are finally cooling but remain alert for lingering wet snow problems as the snowpack drains. The main avalanche concern that could cause serious harm are large glide avalanches releasing on big steep, rocky faces, which are locations to steer around and avoid traveling beneath on Tuesday. By the end of the day, there could be around 6 inches of snow that could form into reactive drifts along ridgelines and around features at upper elevations. 

Problemi valanghivi

  • Glide Cracks

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    2

    Wet loose avalanche activity and a few large glide avalanches were reported in the zone on Monday. Activity will likely slow, but glide avalanches on steep rock faces could still happen as the warm, wet snow, especially further down in the snowpack, won't just disappear overnight. Glide avalanches are highly unpredictable. If the weather and snowpack is set up for this problem, like it is right now, it's just a good idea to avoid traveling beneath glide cracks and in the runout of steep, smooth rock or low vegetation slopes. 

    (12/14/2022)

    A large glide crack on a southeast aspect of Jove Peak which was present earlier this year. Expect to find more of these glide cracks around, and avoid traveling beneath them. 

    Photo: Luke Dixon

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind drifts at higher elevations will increase in size as the day progresses. Moderate to strong winds, increasing throughout the day, will redistribute snow into drifts which could avalanche with a human trigger. Search out fresh drifts which you can expect to see in the usual locations on or below ridgelines, on convex rolls, and around features. Avoid these locations on steep slopes. Search for obvious clues like long shooting cracks as indicators to avoid nearby slopes greater than 35°. 

    The new snow may bond well to the underlying heavier and more moist snow. You're most likely to trigger an avalanche within the new snow layer, probably six inches or less. At upper elevations, above 6000ft or so, much of the water we received since Thursday fell as snow, and drifts could be much deeper. It's unlikely that you'll trigger a larger avalanche, but it's not out of the question. 

    An old photo of a small wind slab avalanche, intentionally triggered beneath a ridgeline on Lichtenberg Mtn. This is similar to what you might find near ridgelines at upper elevations on Tuesday. 

    Photo: Ryan Minton

Avalanche Discussion

Just over 2" of water has fallen since Thursday, and much of it fell as rain below about 4500ft, although sometimes the snowline was considerably higher than this. Wet avalanche activity was reported several of the days during the storm, but cooling temperatures will likely slow this activity. Despite cooling temperatures, an insulating layer of new snow and residual heat and moisture in the snowpack is expected to keep the snowpack moist and softer for a few days. There's a chance that a crust could form on the previously rained-soaked surface. 

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