Bollettino valanghe

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Sat
Alta quota
2 · Moderato
Limite del bosco
2 · Moderato
Sotto il limite
1 · Debole
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In sintesi

Spring often means managing both wet and dry avalanches. You could find lingering pockets of unstable wind-drifted snow at upper elevations and wet avalanches at mid and lower elevations. Choose lower-angle terrain where you identify stiff wind-textured drifts or heavy, wet snow. 

Problemi valanghivi

  • Wind Slabs

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

    There hasn't been a ton of recent snow, but along with moderate winds, pockets of wind slabs are still lingering at upper elevations. Slopes below ridgelines and the base of cliffs are likely spots for wind slabs to lurk. Look for textured surfaces or stiff, hollow-sounding snow to identify wind slab locations. You can also use quick hand pits, your probe, or poles to feel for stiffer snow over softer snow. If you see shooting cracks in wind-stiffened snow, this is a sign to choose low-angle terrain. 

    We expect most of these avalanches to be small but use caution in high-consequence terrain where a fall could have unfortunate outcomes. Cornice falls are common this time of year and are a hazard on their own, but they can also trigger slab avalanches on the slopes below. Don't linger for long beneath these monsters.

    Small wind loaded features at ridgeline can serve as test slopes to gauge the reactivity of fresh wind slabs.

  • Loose Wet

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

    Freezing levels are on an upward trend, and we may see sun breaks or showers. As the snowpack warms up, wet loose avalanches will become more likely. These avalanches are relatively predictable but can carry a lot of force, and they may become easy to trigger by the afternoon or run naturally. If the snow feels like wet mashed potatoes, it might be time to move to lower-angle terrain.

    The snowpack at lower elevations has been through several melt-freeze cycles and is mostly well consolidated. However, you could still see blocks of snow shed off steep rocks and cliffs, so pay attention to the type of terrain overhead as you travel.

    (1/29/2024)

    Lookout for small wet avalanches at low and mid-elevation terrain, especially as temperatures warm in the afternoon or during sun breaks. 

    Photo: Dallas Glass

Avalanche Discussion

Springtime brings dynamic weather to the mountains, and afternoon warming can produce locally heavy bursts of precipitation. Travel with an assessment mindset, make frequent observations, and be prepared for rapidly changing conditions and snow stability. Following an extended period of very warm temperatures in mid-March, the upper snowpack has gained strength and is still in the process of freezing. Due to the March warm-up, you can still find crowns, piles of debris, and frozen rollerballs on many steep slopes. On the 22nd, an NWAC forecaster on Skyline Ridge reported a supportable crust in open terrain. The crust was softer and more variable at the lowest elevations and in the trees. As the subsurface crust grows stronger, we have less concern about older, weak layers deep in the snowpack. At this point, an avalanche failing on or just above the early February crust would be very unlikely.

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