Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Apr 8th, 2014–Apr 9th, 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

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

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

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Glacier.

A poor overnight freeze resulted in several large avalanches. Expect touchy conditions until we see the freezing levels drop.

Weather Forecast

A cold front is expected to pass through the region later this afternoon/evening, bringing flurries and dropping the freezing levels to below 1000m overnight. Currently, freezing levels are in excess of 2000m. Winds will be moderate, gusting to strong, from the SW.

Snowpack Summary

A poor overnight freeze has left the surface snow moist at tree-line and alpine elevations, although some dry snow may be found on due north aspects above 2400m. Several crust layers in the upper 1-1.5m are potential sliding layers if the warmth percolates deeper into the snowpack. The mid and lower snowpack are very well settled.

Avalanche Summary

Plenty of activity overnight, due to the poor freeze overnight. A cornice-triggered size 3 slab pulled out of Grizzly Bowl overnight on a SE aspect. A size 3 slab failed off Avalanche Crest, running into low angle terrain. A glide-crack failed off of a S-facing slope on Cheops, producing a good size 3 that failed to ground, running into the creek.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain

Avalanche Problems

Loose Wet

With high freezing levels, snow is particularly unstable on steeper terrain and at lower elevations. This heavy snow will pinwheel down the mountain, gathering mass, and is a clear indicator of snow stability decreasing.

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.Travel early before the heat of the day, and avoid big slopes in the afternoon.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Storm Slabs

The recent storm snow has not fully bonded to the underlying crust and surface hoar layer. Combined with the warm temp's, it has become a touchy surface slab that is reacting in higher elevation lee areas.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

We may see the deeper instabilities reawaken with the warm temperatures, and possibly rain, moving into the snowpack. Try to avoid shallow, thin areas where a person could trigger a deeper weakness.

Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 4