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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 22nd, 2021–Apr 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, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Lizard-Flathead.

5-10 cm. of new snow and strong southeasterly winds have formed small wind slabs sitting on hard crusts on lee features below ridgetops. Find the best riding and avoid wind slabs by seeking out wind-sheltered terrain.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

  

THURSDAY NIGHT: Cloudy / Light, northwest ridgetop wind / alpine low temperature -9 / Freezing level valley bottom.

FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light, west ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature 3 / Freezing level 2000 m.

SATURDAY: Cloudy with flurries; 3-5 cm. / Light, south ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature -1 / Freezing level 1500 m.

SUNDAY: Cloudy with flurries; 5-10 cm. / Moderate, southwest ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature 2 / Freezing level 1800 m.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches were reported in this region on Wednesday. 

NOTE: Observations are very limited during this time of year.

Snowpack Summary

5-10 cm of flurries and strong southeasterly winds have formed small wind slabs sitting on hard crusts on lee features below ridgetops. Moist snow surfaces at all elevations/aspects formed by the recent warm weather have frozen into hard crusts. Large cornices hang like Gargoyles over alpine ridgetops. Cornice falls can trigger large avalanches on slopes below that a single rider may not trigger.

The snowpack is overall strong and settled in most areas. However, steep and rocky alpine slopes with a shallow or thin to thick snowpack may still harbor deeply buried weak layers. Glide cracks releasing as full depth glide slab avalanches become more common in the spring and are extremely difficult to predict. Best practice is to avoid slopes with glide cracks.

The snow line is slowly creeping up the mountains, making some access areas snow-free. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Stay off recently wind loaded slopes until they have had a chance to stabilize.
  • Even a small avalanche can be harmful if it pushes you into an obstacle or a terrain trap.
  • Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet
  • Caution around slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.

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.