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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 10th, 2014–Mar 11th, 2014
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Regions: Glacier.

As the weather clears, approach the backcountry with caution. The storm snow will take time to heal. The forecast warm temperatures with incoming solar radiation will delay this on sunny slopes.

Weather Forecast

Temperatures will be remaining mild as we begin a new weather pattern with more of a spring like feel. A ridge of high pressure will bring larger diurnal temperature fluctuations with more solar punch as the sun shines. Freezing levels are expected to rise to 1550m and no new snow is expected for the near future.

Snowpack Summary

Expect a surface crust and moist snow below it below 2000m. The recent storm snow over the March 2nd crust is around 1m. The Feb. 10 interface is down around 2m. The mid and lower snowpack is well settled.

Avalanche Summary

Yesterday's storm produced a widespread natural avalanche cycle to size 3.5 throughout the highway corridor. Avalanches began dry but ended as moist deposits on their fans. Artillery controlled produced impressive avalanches to size 4.0 showing wide propagation.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

30cm of heavy snow with wind fell yesterday over much cooler and lighter snow. This combination is what caused a large avalanche cycle. Storm snow instabilities will still exist in the upper 1m and will need some time to bond to be trusted.
Whumpfing, shooting cracks and recent avalanches are all strong inicators of unstable snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

A sun crust down ~1m is well within the range of human triggering on south and west aspects. The February surface hoar/crust layer down ~1.5-2m which can reawaken with a heavy trigger such as a large cornice release.
Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches due to the presence of buried surface hoar.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 3 - 4