Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 31st, 2022–Apr 1st, 2022

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

Regions

Northwest Inland.

Carefully assess the wind slab hazard as you gain elevation and limit exposure to cornices.

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

Thursday night: Flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow with light to moderate southwest winds. Low of -4 at 1500 m.

Friday: Stormy with around 10 cm expected and moderate to strong southerly winds. Freezing level rising to 1400 m.

Saturday: Mainly cloudy with flurries bringing up to 5 cm of new snow. Strong south winds. Freezing level around 1500 m.

Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud with the possibility of light flurries bringing trace amounts of snow. Moderate southwest winds and freezing levels around 1300 m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed in the region on Wednesday. Earlier in the week natural cornice falls were observed throughout the region.

Snowpack Summary

A crust can be found at or near the surface on all aspects and elevations except high north terrain. This crust will likely become moist at lower elevations as the freezing level rises. Wind slabs may be found at high elevations on north and east aspects. Large overhanging cornices have also been observed in the region recently which may remain weak with the current mild conditions.

A couple of layers of weak crystals in the upper snowpack appear to be bonding according to recent observations and snowpack tests. Additionally, we suspect that the surface crust will help bridge these layers, further decreasing their likelihood of triggering older persistent weak layers. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • 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.