Bollettino valanghe

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

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2 · Moderato
Limite del bosco
2 · Moderato
Sotto il limite
1 · Debole
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Non aggiornato — questo bollettino è scaduto 5 months ago. Stai vedendo condizioni passate, non il bollettino in corso.

In sintesi

A few inches of snow will fall on Sunday along with increasing winds, so expect drifts six inches to a foot to form at middle and upper elevations. Search for stiffer-feeling deposits and textured surfaces as clues to avoid steep slopes where snow could easily slide on an underlying crust. Any non-wind-affected snow could also surprise you by easily "sluffing" on steep slopes where an underlying crust exists. 

Problemi valanghivi

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Danger will likely start on Low, but a convective spring storm is expected to deposit about 3 inches by the end of the day, with increasing winds. In exposed areas, wind will redistribute the snow into thicker wind slabs that could grow to six inches or more. Avalanches will likely remain small, but beware of even small avalanches if you're in high-consequence or extreme terrain, where even a small slide could have amplified consequences. 

    A crust developed on all aspects aside from due north thanks to the last few days' warm weather and sunny skies. Expect any slabs that build over a slick crust to slide surprisingly easily. Small new drifts of snow will likely deposit around features, on steep rolls, and in gullies. They may have a textured surface or, alternatively, a smooth, pillowed look to them. 

    Search for obvious clues like long, shooting cracks. Dig down with your hand to see if new slabs break easily on the underlying layer. Steer around steep slopes where you find newly formed wind slabs, and especially if you're above cliffs, trees, rocks, or a gully. 

    Example photo: A small, intentionally triggered wind slab that slid easily on the underlying crust. This could be very similar to what you see on Sunday. 

    Photo: Dallas Glass

Avalanche Discussion

The smooth, underlying crust will provide a good sliding surface for both non-wind-loaded snow and wind slabs. Expect loose dry "sluffs" to run long and far on the underlying crust. There was plenty of loose wet avalanche activity over the last few days, so expect hard, bumpy surfaces beneath the new snow in many areas. Even on northerly slopes without an obvious crust, the new snow may slide surprisingly easily. 

A wet avalanche cycle likely occurred in the zone on Friday, with some lingering avalanches Saturday morning while it was still sunny. Slopes on east, south, and west aspects will remain hard and crusty on Sunday before adding a bit of new snow on top. North-facing areas may still have soft snow with varying amounts of wind-affect. Despite the lack of underlying crust, new wind slabs might still slide easily over the old snow on north-facing aspects. 

Temperatures will remain cooler for the next few days, so dry snow should remain soft, and we don't expect any melting or retreating snowlines. Remember that our unseasonably thin snowpack still has many hazards even through mid-elevations, with open creeks and holes in abundance. 

Regioni coperte