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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 11th, 2024–Apr 12th, 2024

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

North Rockies, McGregor, Pine Pass, Tumbler.

Warm temperatures and strong solar radiation may have settled up to 35 cm of recent snow into a reactive slab in the alpine.

Stay alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

Numerous naturally triggered wet loose avalanches up to size 2 were reported on sunny aspects at all elevations on Wednesday.

If you are getting out into the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by making a post on the MIN (Mountain Information Network).

Snowpack Summary

Up to 35 cm of recent snow can be found at upper elevations and is settling rapidly with intense solar radiation and warm temperatures. Previous light southwest may have formed slabs on isolated lee features in the alpine.

The recent snow sits above a crust in most areas. The exception is on northerly aspects at upper elevations where it overlies dry snow.

Expect difficult travel at lower elevations with thin snow coverage.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, 0 to 5 cm snow. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Friday

Mix of sun and cloud. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.

Saturday

Sunny. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.

Sunday

Mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

Check out the Mountain Weather Forecast for additional weather information.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
  • Use small low consequence slopes to test the bond of the new snow.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.