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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 24th, 2022–Mar 25th, 2022

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

Regions

North Rockies.

Assess for wind slabs in steep terrain at high elevations.

Confidence

High - The snowpack structure is generally well understood.

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY NIGHT: Increasing clouds with no precipitation, 20 km/h southeast wind, alpine temperature -6 C.

FRIDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, 10 km/h southeast wind, alpine temperature -6 C.

SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy with periods of snowfall, accumulation 2 to 5 cm, 10 km/h southeast wind, alpine temperature -5 C.

SUNDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, 10 km/h northwest wind, alpine temperature -5 C.

Avalanche Summary

Widespread loose wet and wet slab avalanche activity occurred during the warm-up on Wednesday. Similar avalanches are not expected to occur on Friday given the cool and cloudy weather forecast. 

Looking forward, riders may be able to trigger wind slabs in lee terrain features in steep alpine terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Above 2000 m, 5 to 10 cm of recent snow may have been blown into small wind slabs from south wind. Below 2000 m, a hard melt-freeze crust or moist snow is found.

There are no deeper concerns at this time.

Terrain and Travel

  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • 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.