Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 15th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Loose Dry.
Chris Gooliaff,
Storm slabs have been sensitive to human triggering the last few days, especially on unsupported rolls at all elevations.
Time and cooler weather will help promote the bonding of this new snow load.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Cloudy, isolated flurries, and freezing levels hovering between 800-1400m the next few days.
Tonight: Cloudy with flurries, 5cm, Alp high -9*C, FZL 800m, mod-gusting strong SW winds
Wed: Cloudy with flurries, trace, Alp high -8*C, FZL 1300m, light/mod SW winds
Thurs: Flurries, 7cm, Alp high -6*C, FZL 1400m, mod SW winds
Snowpack Summary
~55cm of storm snow has buried the March 11 crust (up to 1500m on all aspects, up to treeline on solar aspects). The March 7 (surface hoar/crust) is down ~65cm, the Feb 26 (surface hoar/crust) is down ~80cm, and the Feb 15 surface hoar is down 100-140cm and decomposing. Mild temps are promoting low elevation storm slab development.
Avalanche Summary
Artillery avalanche control in the highway corridor produced numerous avalanches, average sz 3, up to sz 3.5-4. Many results reached mid to end of fans in valley bottom.
On Monday, a Parks field team, along with several guided and recreational parties, reported easy triggering of the storm slab at all elevations on unsupported rolls.
Confidence
Problems
Storm Slabs
Mild temps, steady flurries, and mod SW winds have formed storm slabs at all elevations. Be wary of convex rolls, ridge crests, and open cross-loaded slopes where it may be easier to trigger the storm slab.
- Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline. Storm snow is forming touchy slabs.
- If triggered the storm slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
In steep sheltered terrain, human-triggered sluffs are running within the storm snow, gathering mass as they accelerate down slope. At lower elevations, these loose avalanches are running on a firm crust and entraining most of the new storm snow.
- Avoid terrain traps, such as gullies, where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.
- Be careful of loose dry sluffing in steep, confined or exposed terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 16th, 2022 4:00PM
