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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 14th, 2021–Mar 15th, 2021

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

Regions

South Coast.

Recently formed slabs could be triggered by riders. Use caution around cornices and on sun-exposed slopes with solar warming potential.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY NIGHT: Clearing, 10 to 20 km/h west wind, treeline temperature -7 C.

MONDAY: Mostly clear skies, 20 km/h northeast wind, treeline temperature -5 C, freezing level 800 m.

TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy, 20 km/h west wind, treeline temperature -2 C, freezing level 900 m.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy, 20 to 40 km/h south wind, treeline temperature 0 C, freezing level 1500 m.

Avalanche Summary

We haven't yet received word of avalanche activity from Sunday's storm, but it is likely that storm slabs and wind slabs were triggerable. Perhaps we will hear of observations once the skies clear on Monday. Looking forward, storm and wind slabs could still be triggered by riders on Monday. Sun-exposed slopes and cornices will also weaken during daytime warming.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20 cm of snow fell above 1200 m on Sunday, which likely formed storm slabs in sheltered terrain and wind slabs in leeward features in exposed terrain from strong south to east wind. The snow overlies moist snow or a melt-freeze crust in most areas except at high elevation northerly aspects where it sits on wind-affected dry snow. Below around 1200 m, the snow surface is wet or has frozen into a thick melt-freeze crust. Cornices have been reported as being massive and fragile on ridgelines.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
  • Extra caution is needed around cornices under the current conditions.

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.

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.