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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 22nd, 2021–Mar 23rd, 2021

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.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

South Coast Inland.

Good riding can be found on north-facing slopes, but watch for wind slabs in steep open terrain.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

MONDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy skies, light northwest wind, treeline temperatures drop to -8 C.

TUESDAY: Sunny breaks in the morning then increasing cloud in the afternoon, 20-40 km/h west wind, freezing level climbing to 1300 m with treeline temperatures around -5 C.

WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries bringing up to 5 cm of new snow, 30-50 km/h southwest wind, freezing level climbing to 1400 m with treeline temperatures around -4 C.

THURSDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light northwest wind, freezing level climbing to 1500 m with treeline temperatures around -2 C.

Avalanche Summary

Over the weekend there were several reports of small (size 1) human triggered wind slab avalanches around the Duffey area. They were mostly 20-25 cm thick (see an example in this MIN report). Some small dry loose avalanches were also reported in steep terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Flurries over the past few days delivered 20-40 cm of snow. This snow has generally been stable, but there could be some wind slabs at higher elevations. This snow sits above a widespread crust, with the exception of high north-facing terrain. The lower snowpack is strong and settled.

Remember that cornices along ridgelines are large at this time of year and always have the possibility of failing naturally or from the weight of a human.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.

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.

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.