Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 11th, 2022–Mar 12th, 2022

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

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

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: North Rockies.

10-20 cm of forecast snow and strong west winds on Friday night will form fresh wind slabs on lee features in open terrain.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain.

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY NIGHT: Snow; 10-20 cm / Strong west winds / Low of -8 / Freezing level valley bottom.

SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light west wind / High of -2 / Freezing level 1300 m.

SUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light west wind / High of -3 / Freezing level valley bottom.

MONDAY: Cloudy with flurries; 5-10 cm / Strong southwest wind / High of 1 / Freezing level 1500 m.

Avalanche Summary

A size 3 cornice failure that did not trigger a slab on the slope below was reported on Thursday.

Riders may get surprised by widely propagating storm slabs that are sitting on crusts and/or surface hoar.

Snowpack Summary

10-20 cm of forecast snow and strong west winds on Friday night will form fresh wind slabs on lee features in open terrain.

The new snow will be sitting on a variety of surfaces including hard wind affected snow, sun crusts on southerly slopes, and surface hoar on shady or sheltered slopes. Expect wind slabs to be most reactive where they are sitting on either a sun crust or surface hoar.

The mid and lower snowpack is generally well-settled and strong in most areas, with multiple crusts throughout. No recent persistent slab avalanches have been reported on these layers.

Terrain and Travel

Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.
Minimize your exposure time below cornices.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

10-20 cm of forecast snow and strong west winds on Friday night will form fresh wind slabs on lee features in open terrain.

Cornices are very large in many areas. Cornice failures may trigger large avalanches on the slopes below.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2