The hazard is considerable at upper elevations, and moderate at mid and lower elevations. Numerous large avalanches were triggered around Douglas on March 22nd and 23rd, primarily on Northwest-facing slopes. Strong Northerly winds began to ramp up yesterday morning and intensified overnight, widely transporting snow. Be especially wary of large, unsupported slopes and wind slabs near ridge tops. Remote triggering, wide propagation, and unreliable feedback are all concerns while traveling in the mountains today.
Natural avalanches are possible, and human-triggered avalanches are likely. Practice careful route finding and conservative decision-making. Ski, ride, and sled slopes one at a time, keeping eyes on each person.
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Blowing snow along ridgelines and active wind transport were observed throughout the day yesterday. With sustained strong Northeast winds overnight, expect reactive wind slabs to have formed on Southerly aspects below ridgelines and are possible on West to East as well.
An avalanche cycle on 3/22 and 3/23 occurred on the 3/6 melt-freeze crust, approximately 85 cm below the surface. These slides were all reported on North-West aspects. However, with recent Northerly winds now loading Southerly aspects, there is potential for reactivity on all aspects.
With solar radiation, expect sun-exposed slopes to produce wet loose avalanches. There is potential for these to step down to the 3/6 melt-freeze crust.
With continued cold temperatures and clear skies in the forecast, we have entered a high-pressure pattern and are currently experiencing an outflow wind event. With a significant amount of transportable snow available, expect reactive wind slabs to develop, primarily on southerly aspects. Strong NE winds have been recorded, with Eagelcrest seeing sustained speeds in the 30–40's and Sheep mountain seeing sustained speeds in the 60's and gusts up to 80+ mph.
We are continuing to monitor the reactivity of the 3/6 melt-freeze crust, buried approximately 85 cm below the surface. An active avalanche cycle on March 22 and March 23 produced multiple D2+ avalanches that failed on this layer, primarily on North to West facing aspects.
Throughout March’s active weather pattern, predominantly ESE winds transported and deposited snow onto North to West-facing slopes. This created a substantial slab over the 3/6 melt-freeze crust, increasing stress on this persistent weak layer. Observations have also noted persistent grains around this layer.
Now, with a shift to high pressure and strong NE winds, snow is being redistributed onto southerly aspects, where fresh wind slabs may be reactive. This may wake up the 3/6 layer on more southerly aspects.
While we may not see widespread avalanche activity on the 3/6 layer, persistent slabs remain unpredictable. They can remain dormant for extended periods and may only be triggered from isolated thin spots, often with little warning. This makes feedback unreliable, and can create a false sense of security. Careful terrain assessment and a heightened sense of awareness are essential.
