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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 23rd, 2021–Mar 24th, 2021

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.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

South Coast Inland.

New snow and wind forecast for Tuesday night through Wednesday morning (higher amounts in the south of the region) will form fresh wind slabs at upper elevations. 

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain.

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY Night: Flurries, accumulation 3-8 cm, moderate to strong west and southwest wind, freezing level 1000 m with treeline temperatures around -5 C.

WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with flurries bringing 5-10 cm of new snow through the morning with higher amounts in the south of the region, moderate to strong southwest wind, freezing 1500 m with treeline temperatures around -3 C.

THURSDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, light to moderate northwest wind, freezing level 1500 m with treeline temperatures around -2 C.

FRIDAY: Partly cloudy skies, light to moderate west wind, freezing level 1600 m with treeline temperatures -2 C.

Avalanche Summary

On Monday there were few reports of natural and skier triggered wind slab avalanches to size 1.5 on northerly aspects above 1900 m in both the south and north of the region.

Over the weekend there were several reports of small (size 1) human triggered wind slab avalanches around the Duffey area. They were mostly 20-25 cm thick (see an example in this MIN report). Some small dry loose avalanches were also reported in steep terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Flurries over the past few days have delivered 25-50 cm of snow. This snow has generally bonded to underlying layers, but there could be some wind slabs at higher elevations. This snow sits above a widespread crust, with the exception of high north-facing terrain. The lower snowpack is strong and settled.

Remember that cornices along ridgelines are large at this time of year and always have the possibility of failing naturally or from the weight of a human.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Watch for avalanche hazard to increase throughout the day.
  • Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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.

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.