Bollettino valanghe

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

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

In sintesi

The likelihood of triggering avalanches is decreasing, but still be on the lookout for signs of instability in wind-drifted areas at upper elevations. Do your homework before committing to larger slopes, and steer around pockets if they sound hollow or if you see shooting cracks. Even a small avalanche can have a bad outcome if you get pushed into rocks or other early-season terrain traps. 

Problemi valanghivi

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Recent warm temperatures and time are helping these wind slabs gain strength. However, you’ll still encounter dry snow available for transport at upper elevations and may even notice moderate wind speeds drifting snow. With this, you may still encounter pockets of unstable snow in wind-drifted areas. 

    These unstable slabs will be most common on the leeward sides of ridges, below cornices, near the tops of chutes and couloirs, and scattered throughout the alpine. All that said recent east winds may throw you a curveball, so look for these slabs in some not-so-common areas, like across terrain features (cross-loading) or even on west aspects. 

    Pay attention to the direction of wind loading and use visual surface clues to help you identify the avalanche problem. Look for sharp drifts, pillow-like slabs, or dunes at the snow surface to help you spot where the wind has been at work. These slabs could break in surprising ways if they overlay surface hoar, facets, or recently buried crusts. Use small test slopes or hand pits to gauge how reactive the slab is. Consider steering around steep wind-loaded slopes if you notice active drifting or signs of instability, such as shooting cracks or hollow-sounding snow.

    (12/1/2023)

    Use small test slopes and look for signs of instability like this before committing to steeper slopes. 

     

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

Friday will bring another round of moderate east winds and warm temperatures. Weather stations across the zone reported above-freezing temperatures extending to 5500 ft across the zone on Wednesday. So, this will likely limit any wind transport below these elevations. Gradual warming and moist snow have been limiting wet loose activity, but still be on the lookout and consider avoiding steep slopes if you notice sticky, sloppy snow and rollerballs initiating. 

Observations have been sparse across the East South, but observers in neighboring zones have reported signs of instability in wind-drifted snow. On 12/27, the Crystal Mtn Pro Patrol reported shooting cracks and intentionally triggering small wind slabs. You may find similar conditions at upper elevations, especially in the western parts of the zone, like Darland Mountain or the Bumping Lake area. On Thursday, observers in the East Central zone reported warming conditions and moist snow extending to 5500 ft on S-SE aspects. 

Lower elevations still have very little snow. As you travel, keep an eye out for shallowly buried hazards that could ruin the rest of your season. 

 

You can contribute to the forecast! Let us know what you found by submitting an observation HERE. 

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