Bollettino valanghe

San Francisco Peaks / Kachina Peaks Wilderness

Kachina Peaks Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Fri
Alta quota
3 · Marcato
Limite del bosco
3 · Marcato
Sotto il limite
2 · Moderato
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Non aggiornato — questo bollettino è scaduto 4 years ago. Stai vedendo condizioni passate, non il bollettino in corso.

In sintesi

Triggering small to large wind slab avalanches is possible near and above treeline. On north, northeast, and northwest slopes, these avalanches may then step down, triggering deep persistent slab avalanches that are very large and probably unsurvivable. Avoid wind-loaded, rounded, pillowed, rippled, and corniced slopes steeper than 30°. 

For less avalanche hazard, seek slopes with no recent wind loading below treeline.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Strong southwest winds have created wind slabs on leeward slopes and terrain features. Winds are forecasted to continue for the next several days and will continue to redistribute the snow. Anticipate wind slabs avalanches to be likely for the foreseeable future with continued winds and additional snowfall over the next few days. Avoid wind-loaded, rounded, pillowed, rippled or corniced slopes, as these may have new sensitive wind slabs.

    (2/23/2023)

    Wind rose of gust speeds and direction across the storm at the ASB Little Spruce weather station (~9,000 feet). The storm has been dominated by strong SW, SSW, and S winds. 

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    2–3

    New wind slabs may be large enough to re-energize the dormant persistent weak layer of basal facets. Human-triggered wind slab avalanches may have enough force to step down, creating propagating failures in the weak layer of basal facets. If so, the avalanches may become very large. The basal facets and depth hoar have been documented on northerly and northeasterly slopes between 11,000' and 11,800.  Over the last few weeks, this weak layer has become less reactive as it has been buried deeper with strong slabs above it, providing additional support. We have not had any recent persistent slab avalanches; however, this week's snowfall could reenergize this problem.

    The best way to manage the risk from persistent slab avalanches is to make conservative terrain choices and avoid slopes with this suspected problem.

Avalanche Discussion

A high amount of uncertainty exists due to the winter storm. At 6 am, Arizona Snowbowl is reporting 12" (30 cm) over the last 24 hours at 10,500 feet, with an additional 15-23" expected over the next 24 hours. At 7am, the SNOTEL site in Snowslide Canyon is reporting 8" (20 cm) of snow over the last 24 hours with a storm total of 11" (28cm). We believe both measurements have been highly influenced by the strong (50+ mph) winds and that new snow depth will be highly variable.

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