Bollettino valanghe

East Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Wed
Alta quota
1 · Debole
Limite del bosco
1 · Debole
Sotto il limite
1 · Debole
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In sintesi

With warming temperatures, monitor the terrain above you and don't linger under snow-covered cliffs and rocks in sunny terrain. Travel is still challenging, with breakable crusts on many aspects and elevations, so allow extra time to get in and out of the mountains safely. 

Problemi valanghivi

  • Loose Wet

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

    Warming temperatures and sun could make it possible to trigger avalanches on steep, sun-exposed slopes. watch for rollerballs and moist snow that slides easily. If you see these clues move to lower-angle slopes or shaded terrain.

    Time your travel on steep sunny terrain when the surface is soft, but before you are sinking in deeply to wet snow. Wet avalanches shouldn't be widespread, but it's best not to linger beneath cliffs or rocks still holding snow and put plenty of distance between you and any visible glide cracks. 

    (3/17/2024)

    An example of wet loose avalanches from the previous season

    Photo: Willie Webster

Avalanche Discussion

The warming trend will continue for the next few days, with snow levels topping out at around 11000ft on Tuesday afternoon. Temperature inversions will continue with lower elevations staying cold. Despite the prolonged high pressure, there could still be isolated steep rocks or unsupported cliffs holding snow that may shed as warm temperatures and sunshine align. Surface crusts are thinner on east and west aspects and may break down quicker than due south aspects. 

An NWAC Observer in the Harts Pass area found isolated areas of cold, dry, recycled powder (weak, sugary, faceted snow) on sheltered northern aspects.  They reported touchy and fast-moving dry loose avalanches on steep, shady terrain holding this soft, faceted snow. But overall surface conditions are quite variable. Southern aspects harbor a 1 inch thick breakable crust with preserved faceted snow above and below. This weak snow is more prominent on west and east aspects where the crust is thinner. Many locations are also plagued by stiff wind-affected snow of varying thicknesses. 

This prolonged cold and dry period has caused the snow surface to weaken significantly. You can find plenty of surface hoar and/or near-surface facets in valley bottoms and areas that don’t receive direct sunshine. The next storm is now in sight for the end of the week. It's a good idea to track potential weak layers, like surface hoar, before they get buried by future snow. 

Regioni coperte