Lawinenlagebericht

Bitterroot

West Central Montana Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Sun
Hochgebirge
1 · Gering
Waldgrenze
1 · Gering
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Kernpunkte

Today, cold temperatures and cloudy skies will keep the snowpack frozen below 8000’. Triggering avalanches is unlikely. Above 8000’ pockets of wind slab may be found on shaded north aspects; avoid wind loaded slopes over 35º. A light dusting of snow over a solid crust could make holding an edge challenging, and long slides are possible. Be prepared to self-arrest if you travel in steep terrain.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1.5–2

    Above 8000’, on north aspects, isolated pockets of wind slab may be found.Upper elevations that were not affected by high temperatures or sun warming hold pockets of wind slab that sit over the early April melt-freeze crust. While bonding was good on Lolo Peak yesterday, reactive wind slab is possible in other locations.Avoid wind loaded start zones over 35º where a solid crust does not exist. Below 8000’ wind slab might develop today if the snowfall is heavier than forecast. If more than a couple of inches pile up and you observe wind transport, increase your caution in wind loaded start zones. Shooting cracks and hollow-sounding snow are signs of wind slab.

  • Cornices

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–1.5

    With freezing temperatures the likelihood of cornice fall has decreased. However, they remain large and overhanging.

    Cornice fall is possible and unpredictable. 

    Avoid spending time below cornices and stay well back from the top edge as they can break farther back than anticipated. 

Avalanche Discussion

After a snowy and cold start to the week, high temperatures cooked the snowpack Thursday and Friday, reaching up to 55º at 8000 feet. Yesterday, the sun rapidly warmed the snow at all elevations. Wet snow was found on east aspects by 10:00 am. Elevated temperatures also affected north aspects, with abundant wet snow and roller balls below 8000’. You can find pockets of soft snow on shaded, north aspects on the highest peaks. 

Temperatures are in the teens this morning above 6000’. The snowpack will remain frozen with cloudy skies and freezing temperatures throughout the day. There is a low likelihood of triggering an avalanche today. The exception is isolated pockets of wind slab above 8000’.

An inch or two of fresh snow has created dust on crust conditions and could make it difficult to set an edge. Be ready to self-arrest if you venture into steep terrain. 

Temperatures are forecast to stay cold this coming week, with the potential for a decent snowfall Monday. As snow accumulates and is transported, windslab will develop. If snow totals surpass 8”, the likelihood of storm slab increases.

This is our final standard forecast for the 2021/22 winter. If conditions warrant, we will issue forecast updates. 

We’d love to get your observations throughout the spring. They can be a great help to other recreationists in the absence of the forecast. You can submit them here. 

Ski and ride safe

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