Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 10th, 2023–Apr 11th, 2023

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

Regions

Glacier.

The new surface storm slabs are reactive and have been observed to propagate widely from human and explosive triggers.

Stick to supported terrain with limited exposure to overhead hazard, where remote-triggering could bring the snow slope down onto you.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche control Mon morning had good results, with numerous avalanches from sz 2-3.5 resulting from both natural and explosive triggers. The surface storm slab was propagating widely on the crust and/or the surface hoar/facet combo from March 31.

On Sunday, an experienced group remote-triggered an avalanche on a NE facing slope by the Cleaver, injuring 1 person.

Snowpack Summary

15cm Monday morning added to the 45-60cm that has buried the Mar 31 layer (crust on solar aspects, facet/surface hoar on polar aspects).

The snowpack is generally strong. However, the Nov 17 basal weakness can still be found near the ground in many locations. It may be possible for this layer to become active during this warm storm cycle.

Weather Summary

Flurries and dropping temps are forecasted for the next 2 days.

Tonight: Flurries, 10cm, Alp low -4*C, light gusty SW winds, 1400m FZL

Tues: Flurries, 5-10cm, Alp high -4*C, light gusting moderate SW winds, 1500m FZL

Wed: Flurries, 5cm, Alp high -5*C, light SW winds, 1600m FZL

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.
  • If triggered loose wet avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
  • In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.

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.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.