Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 23rd, 2014–Mar 24th, 2014

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Glacier.

Recent large deep avalanches, human and natural triggered have shown the potential for triggering big slides from thin snowpack areas.

Weather Forecast

Today cloudy with trace amounts of precip and light ridge rinds out of the SW. Monday, mostly cloudy with light amounts of precip later in the day. Tuesday a warm front may move in bring some precip.

Snowpack Summary

Pockets of soft slab just below ridge crests on lee features. The recent upper HST is settling and bonding well. The March 13 down 45-65 and the March 2 CR/SH layer down 1m have recently been reactive in snowpack tests. The February 10 layer down 1.5-2m still shows test results for the potential of large avalanches.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches yesterday observed or reported in the park. Recent large deep avalanches, natural and human triggered have shown that there are areas possible to propagate widely.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm slab instabilities may exist and may pop with human triggering, solar warming and newly formed soft slab in the lee of ridge crests.

Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

The Mar 2nd crust is dwn around 1.25m. The slab overtop the weak layers down 1-1.5m continues to settle and become more cohesive.

Choose well supported terrain without convexities.Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

The Feb 10 layer may be a concern with very large triggers or thin snowpack areas in rocky terrain.

Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches due to the presence of buried surface hoar.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely

Expected Size: 2 - 4