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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 25th, 2021–Mar 26th, 2021

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

Regions

South Coast Inland.

Lingering wind slabs in open terrain at upper elevations are the main concern.

Confidence

Moderate - The snowpack structure is generally well understood.

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY Night: Cloudy with clear periods and isolated flurries, light to moderate west and northwest wind, freezing level 700 m with treeline temperatures around -5 C.

FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, light west and southwest wind, freezing level 1600 m with treeline temperatures -1 C.

SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, light to moderate southwest wind, freezing level 1500 m with treeline temperatures -2 C.

SUNDAY: Snow, moderate to strong southwest wind, freezing 1000 m with treeline temperatures around -4 C.

Avalanche Summary

Small avalanches were triggered within recent snow on Tuesday. This was likely the case for Wednesday as well, within the 5-15 cm of overnight snow.

Looking forward, wind slabs may remain triggerable at higher elevations and use caution on sun-exposed slopes if clear skies prevail, which is forecast for the north of the region.

Snowpack Summary

Another 5 to 15 cm of snow on Wednesday adds to the 15 to 30 cm of settled snow from the weekend. All this snow is likely bonding to the snowpack, but there could be some wind slabs that linger at higher elevations from southwest wind. All this snow sits above a widespread hard crust, with the exception of high north-facing terrain. The lower snowpack is strong and settled.

Remember that cornices along ridgelines are large at this time of year and always have the possibility of failing naturally or from the weight of a human.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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.