Avalanche

Avalanche: Potters

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Avalanche

Weak Layer
Density Change
Trigger Type
Natural
Start Zone Aspect
Northeast
Avalanche Problem
Wind Slab
Start Zone Elevation
3231 m

This natural avalanche released during a bump in wind speeds late Tuesday. With no signigicant weak layers in the snowpack, this avalanche was purely related to wind overloading a lee slope. That is, wind took powder snow from the west facing slopes and rapidly deposited it on the east facing slopes so fast that the slope released and avalanched. A chunk of cornice falling onto the slope was the most likely trigger.