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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 14th, 2021–Mar 15th, 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 unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

North Columbia.

Temperatures are cooling overnight. The remaining concern is isolated wind slabs in the alpine. Even small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain.

Confidence

High - We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY NIGHT: Cloudy, up to 5 cm new snow, 30 km/h southwest wind, alpine low -8 C, freezing level lowering to 1000 m. 

MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, trace of new snow, 20 km/h westerly wind, alpine high -1 C, freezing level 1400 m.

TUESDAY: Sunny, 20 km/h westerly wind, alpine high 2 C, freezing level 1700 m.

WEDNESDAY: Sunny, 30 km/h southerly wind, alpine high 4 C, freezing level 1900 m. 

Avalanche Summary

Numerous natural wet loose avalanches up to size 2.5 were observed on solar aspects on Saturday. A few small wet slab avalanches were reported as well as a couple cornice failures of size 2 which did not trigger avalanches on the slopes below.

Naturally triggered wet loose avalanches were reported up to size 2 on solar aspects in the alpine on Friday. 

Snowpack Summary

10-20 cm of recent convective snow and moderate westerly winds have formed fresh wind slabs below alpine ridgetops. Sunny skies and warm temperatures formed sun crusts on solar aspects at all elevations and up to 2000 m on polar aspects. Dry snow still exists on north aspects at upper elevations. Large cornices loom over alpine ridgetops.

Persistent weak layers of surface hoar, crusts, and/or facets 80-120 cm down have recently been unreactive and no recent avalanches have been reported on these layers. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
  • Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.

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.