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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 3rd, 2012–Apr 4th, 2012

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

Regions

South Columbia.

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY: Light to locally moderate amounts of precipitation. Moderate northerly winds with a freezing level of 1000-1200m. THURSDAY & FRIDAY: Broken skies with light flurries and light winds. Freezing levels remain steady at 1000-1200m.

Avalanche Summary

A recent report from the northeast part of the region is of a remotely triggered size 3 avalanche from 50m away on a south southeast aspect. The crown was 30-100cm, 200m wide and ran for 250m in length. Very touchy conditions were reported from the far south of the region in the Valkyr Range at the end of the weekend; A natural avalanche with a 2 km wide crown was reported on an east facing aspect which started in the storm snow and then stepped down to the March 27th crust/facet combo.

Snowpack Summary

The most recent storm produced 40 - 100 cm of total snowfall, with the far south of the region receiving the greater accumulations. 80-100cm of storm snow from the past 7 days is sitting on a weak layer of Facets sitting on a crust. This layer seems to be most reactive on sun exposed slopes. Slopes below 1000 m continue to experience little or no overnight refreeze (recovery). The deeper early february surface hoar layers seem to have been unreactive in the short term but still remain a concern.

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.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.

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.