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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 19th, 2022–Apr 20th, 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

Lizard-Flathead.

Look for small wind slabs in steep terrain.

Confidence

High - The snowpack structure is generally well understood.

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy with no precipitation, 20 km/h west wind, alpine temperature -6 C.

WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with no precipitation, 10 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -3 C, freezing level rising to 1800 m.

THURSDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, 10 km/h south wind, alpine temperature -2 C, overnight freeze and daytime freezing level rising to 1900 m.

FRIDAY: Morning clouds and afternoon clear skies with no precipitation, 10 km/h west wind, alpine temperature 0 C, overnight freeze and daytime freezing level rising to 2100 m.

Avalanche Summary

A few small (size 1.5) avalanches were triggered by riders and naturally in lee terrain features on Tuesday.

Please consider posting your observations to the Mountain Information Network to supplement our data stream and help fellow recreationists.

Snowpack Summary

Around 10 cm of snow fell on Tuesday with associated strong southwest wind. New wind slabs may have formed in lee terrain features up high. The snow sits on 10 to 20 cm of consolidated snow over a hard melt-freeze. At lower elevations below treeline, the snowpack is moist and consolidated. Remember that cornices are large and looming at this time of year.

The remainder of the snowpack is strong, consisting of hard snow and various melt-freeze crusts.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

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.