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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 23rd, 2022–Mar 24th, 2022

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, human triggered possible.
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

South Rockies.

Continually evaluate snowpack conditions as you change aspect and elevation through the day. A brief cooling trend will help reduce avalanche danger, but there are still human triggerable avalanche problems out there.

Confidence

High - We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Mainly cloudy. Light rain/snow expected. Moderate to strong southwesterly ridgetop wind, trending to extreme in the high alpine. Freezing level falling to around 1500 m.

THURSDAY: Mostly sunny with very light rain/snow. Ridgetop winds easing off to light northwest. Freezing level rising to around 2000 m. 

FRIDAY: Mostly sunny with no precipitation expected. Light southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level around valley bottom overnight, rising to 2200 m through the day.

SATURDAY: Partly Sunny. No new precipitation expected. Light variable ridgetop wind, with periods of strong southwest in the high alpine. Freezing level around 2300 m. 

Avalanche Summary

At the time of publishing, avalanche activity in the past week has been limited to small wind slabs and wet loose avalanches (size 1).

Remember that a lack of reported avalanches does not necessarily mean that there is a lack of avalanche activity. If you are out in the backcountry, and have photos, conditions updates, or even just good vibes to share, consider making a post on the Mountain Information Network. 

Snowpack Summary

5-10 cm of recent snowfall has been redistributed by strong westerly winds. The surface is moist or crusty below 1800 m on all aspects and on solar aspects into the alpine. The upper snowpack contains several crust layers, and the snow is well bonded to these crusts.

Terrain and Travel

  • Start on smaller terrain features and gather information before committing to bigger terrain.
  • Avoid steep slopes when air temperatures are warm, or solar radiation is strong.
  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
  • Minimize your exposure time below cornices.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.

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.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.