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Avalanche Forecast

Mar 9th, 2021–Mar 10th, 2021
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: South Columbia.

Lingering wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggers in the alpine. Steep, rocky, cross loaded features below alpine ridgetops are some of the most likely places to trigger wind slabs.

Confidence

High - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.

Weather Forecast

  

TUESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy / Light, southwest ridgetop wind / alpine low temperature -10 / Freezing level valley bottom.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy with flurries; 2-5 cm. / Light, west ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature -4 / Freezing level 1200 m.

THURSDAY: Sunny / Moderate, northwest ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature -3 / Freezing level 1300 m.

FRIDAY: Sunny / Moderate, west ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature 0 / Freezing level 1700 m.

Avalanche Summary

On Monday, there were reports of naturally triggered size 2 cornices, size 1.5 wet loose avalanches on solar aspects and a skier triggered size 1 wind slab on a northeast aspect in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 25 cm dry soft snow can be found on shaded aspects above around 1500 m. On south-facing slopes and at lower elevations expect crusty snow in the morning and soft moist snow in the afternoon. Winds have slackened off of late, but recent wind slabs and cornices still pose a hazard close to steep ridgelines.

The lower snowpack has strengthened over the past week as previous persistent weak layers have become mostly unreactive. The main layers that we had been tracking are a layer of facets that was buried in mid-February (50-100 cm deep) and a layer of surface hoar and/or a crust that was buried in late January (80-120 cm deep).

Terrain and Travel

  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Caution around slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

You may find pockets of wind slab behind exposed ridgelines in the alpine. Cornices may be present as well.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2