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Avalanche Forecast

Feb 27th, 2014–Feb 28th, 2014
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
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: Northwest Inland.

Don’t let your guard down! The deeply buried weak layer may continue to be well preserved on shaded aspects. More info in the new blog post!

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Overnight and Friday: The alpine inversion along the coast is expected to end overnight. We should see below freezing temperatures at all elevations during the day with Easterly winds in the alpine and strong Northeast outflow winds near the coast. Mostly clear with a chance of high thin cloud during the day.Saturday: Clear and cold with strong Northeast winds and alpine temperatures around -17. Very strong outflow winds near the coast.Sunday: Clear and cold with strong Easterly winds and alpine temperatures around -20.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity reported.

Snowpack Summary

Clear skies and cold temperatures combined with moderate Easterly or Northeasterly winds have developed new wind slabs in the alpine and at treeline. 35-90 cm of settled storm snow overlies a variety of old surfaces including weak facets, surface hoar (more predominant at tree line and below tree line elevations), a scoured crust, wind pressed snow, or any combination of these. Whumpfing, cracking, and reports from the field indicate a very poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. Recent snowpack tests give easy or moderate "pops or drops" shears on this persistent weakness and show potential for wide propagation. A lack of activity on this layer is likely because the overlying snow has not settled into a slab due to the recent cold temperatures.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Forecast strong Northeast outflow winds may create new wind slabs in areas that still snow available for transport.
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 4

Persistent Slabs

Continued cold temperatures are expected to preserve the buried February weak layer of facets and crusts. Avalanche fractures may propagate further as the old storm snow above the weak layers settles into a cohesive slab.
Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.>Use conservative route selection, stick to moderate angled terrain with low consequence.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 4