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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 22nd, 2023–Mar 23rd, 2023

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

Regions

Glacier.

Stick to polar aspects to find the best skiing and lowest avalanche hazard.

Minimize your exposure to solar facing terrain in the afternoon, when the hazard will be elevated.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

This week there have been afternoon solar triggered avalanches sz 2-2.5, with isolated sz 3's. Some of these avalanches occuring at treeline and below have failed at the ground and gouged deep into the snowpack.

Deep persistent slabs are a concern, with a report of a cornice-triggered pocket high on Mt Smart failing to glacial ice, as well as a deep slab on Mt Fidelity.

Snowpack Summary

Sun and warm afternoon temps have created a surface crust on solar aspects at all elevations, while N'ly slopes contain settled, dry powder (good, predictable riding). An incoming storm will bury these surfaces and patchy surface hoar starting Thursday night.

Below this is a generally strong snowpack, however the basal weakness of rounding facets/decomposing crust near the ground should factor in to your terrain-use decisions.

Weather Summary

High pressure breaks down Thursday, as a frontal system brings light precip Thursday night into Friday. Temperature will cool.

Tonight: clear, Alp low -5*C, light SW ridge winds

Thurs: PM Flurries 6cm, Alp high -4, light SW ridge winds, FZL 1600m

Fri: Scattered flurries, 4cm, Alp high -8*C, light W winds, FZL 1200m

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid sun exposed slopes, especially if snow surface is moist or wet.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.

Problems

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.