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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 24th, 2019–Apr 25th, 2019

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

North Columbia.

Strong solar radiation may increase the likelihood of triggering lingering winds slabs on lee features below alpine ridgetops. Any appearance of the strong April sun can initiate a loose wet avalanche cycle.

Confidence

Low - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Clear / Light, westerly winds / Alpine low -10 C / Freezing level Below valley bottom.

THURSDAY: Sunny / Light, westerly winds / Alpine high -3 C / Freezing level 1800 m.

FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light, northwesterly winds / Alpine high -1 C / Freezing level 2000 m.

SATURDAY: Cloudy with alpine flurries; 5-10 cm. / Moderate, northwesterly winds / Alpine high -5 C / Freezing level 1300 m

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported in this region on Tuesday. However, there are currently very few professional observers submitting daily observations. Please submit your observations to the MIN. Photos of avalanches or current conditions are particularly useful.

On Saturday, numerous, natural loose wet avalanches up to size 1.5 were reported on steep solar aspects at treeline and above in the afternoon.

A widespread storm slab avalanche cycle to size 3.5 on all aspects in the alpine was reported on Friday. Although not in this region, check out these two MIN reports from Saturday in Glacier National Park HERE. and HERE.

Snowpack Summary

5-15 cm. of new snow sits on a crust everywhere except high north facing terrain. Wind slabs created by last weeks storm may still linger in lee terrain below ridgetops. A layer of surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) in the upper snowpack could still be reactive to human triggers in isolated locations such as high elevation, north facing terrain.

Below treeline, snow is disappearing rapidly.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.