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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 31st, 2021–Apr 1st, 2021

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

Regions

Lizard-Flathead.

Warm temperatures and solar radiation will increase hazard on steep slopes facing the sun during the hottest part of the day. Watch for wind slabs in exposed terrain at upper elevations.

Confidence

High - The snowpack structure is generally well understood.

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY Night - Mostly clear / moderate south west wind / alpine high -3 C / freezing level 1500 m

THURSDAY- Partly cloudy / light to moderate southwest wind / alpine high 3 C / freezing level 2100 m

FRIDAY- Mix of sun and cloud / light southwest wind / alpine high 1 C / freezing level to 2000 m

SATURDAY - Mix of sun and cloud / light west and southwest wind / alpine low temperature near 3 C / freezing level 2200 m

Avalanche Summary

A size 2 cornice triggered storm slab was reported south of Sparwood on Tuesday. A few size 1 loose moist ski cuts were reported with some limited warming at lower elevations.

Widespread natural and explosives triggered avalanches up to size 2.5, and skier controlled avalanches up to size 2 were reported on Monday. 

Glide cracks continue to grow. This serves as a great reminder to avoid slopes with glide cracks on them at all times. They are inherently unstable and can release at any time.

Snowpack Summary

The 30-55 cm of recent storm snow appears to be bonding well to previous melt freeze crusts from mid March that were found on all but steep north facing alpine slopes. Moderate westerly winds have been transporting snow and forming new wind slabs in lee features. Cornices are reported to be large and looming. With rising freezing levels and sunny skies, snow will likely lose strength as it get moist at lower elevations and upper elevations on solar aspects. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Extra caution for areas experiencing rapidly warming temperatures for the first time.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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.

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.