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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 27th, 2021–Mar 28th, 2021
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
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Northwest Inland.

Fresh storm slabs will likely be reactive to human triggering, especially in wind loaded areas, and at upper elevations. Watch for signs of instability such as whumpfing, cracking and recent avalanches.

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain.

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT - Flurries, 5-10 cm / strong west wind / alpine low temperature near -11 

SUNDAY - A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries / moderate northwest wind / alpine high temperature near -9 

MONDAY - Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries / moderate west wind / alpine high temperature near -8 

TUESDAY - Cloudy with scattered flurries / strong west wind / alpine high temperature near -4 / freezing level 1200 m

Avalanche Summary

Fresh and reactive storm slabs are likely to be encountered on Sunday.

There were no new avalanches reported on Friday.

Recent reports of avalanche activity have come almost exclusively from the southwest of the region. Over the last week, natural, explosive, and human-triggered wind slab avalanches around size 2 have been reported on east to southeast aspects at treeline and alpine elevations. Below treeline, natural wet loose and wet slab avalanches around size 2 are suspected to have run during the storm on Tuesday night. Explosive control work on Wednesday produced loose wet and wet slab results size 1-1.5 below 1000 m.

Snowpack Summary

5-10 cm of snow is expected on Saturday night, adding to the 5-20 cm that fell during the day on Saturday. The precipitation fell as rain at lower elevations.

Buried 70-120 cm deep, a spotty layer of surface hoar may exist on sheltered north aspects, as well as a melt-freeze crust on south aspects and below 1450 m. Recent observations suggest that this interface is bonding.

The mid and lower snowpack is reported as well settled and strong in most areas. However, weak facets exist at the base of the snowpack in the more shallow snowpack zones within much of the region and have the potential to be triggered on steep, rocky slopes with a shallow or thin to thick snowpack; especially with large loads such as a cornice fall.

Terrain and Travel

  • Don't be too cavalier with decision making, storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.
  • Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.
  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

Fresh and reactive storm slabs are likely to be encountered, especially in wind loaded areas at upper elevations.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2