Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 5th, 2022 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Storm Slabs and Loose Dry.

Lynnea Baker,

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Storm slabs up to 100cm deep continue to be reactive on interfaces within the slab in snowpack tests. Asses storm slab carefully before committing to lines.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Sun: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Light gusting moderate W winds. Alpine high -9. Freezing levels valley bottom.

Mon: Cloudy with  flurries in PM, 15cm overnight. Moderate W winds. Alpine high -7, low -11. Freezing levels VB.

Tues: Flurries, accumulating 5cm. Light gusting to moderate NE winds. High -14, low -18. Freezing levels VB.

Snowpack Summary

90cm of snow and mod SW winds formed storm slabs in ALP close to the continental divide. Rain crust found 30 cm down within storm snow up to 2000m. This overlies old windslab 10-30 cm deep. Feb 15 crust, 1 cm thick, exists to treeline all aspects and higher on solar aspects. Well settled midpack. Facets above Dec 4 crust, buried 150-250 cm.

Avalanche Summary

Evidence of a widespread natural cycle: wet loose, wet slab, storm slab avalanches, from this week's storm can be found in most valleys up to size 3. Check Forum Ridge Avalanche to see impressive size 3. Numerous dry loose avalanches up to 1.5 on all aspects in steep terrain. Please submit observations to the Mountain Information Network

Confidence

Timing of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

90cm of snow and moderate SW winds has formed slabs in the ALP up to 100cm. At 2050 m temperature interfaces within the storm continue to be reactive in compression tests: CTE 9 down 25 cm resistant planer and CTH 23 down 65 cm below rain crust.

  • Use caution on open slopes and convex rolls
  • Lingering storm slabs may still be reactive on specific terrain features

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Loose Dry

An icon showing Loose Dry

20-30cm of low density snow is reactive to natural and human triggering. Watch for loose dry slides in steep unsupported terrain.

  • Be careful of loose dry sluffing in steep, confined or exposed terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Mar 8th, 2022 4:00PM