Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 3rd, 2021 8:00AM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Mike Smallwood,

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A wind ravaged snow surface may still hold pockets of reactive slab. Be aware of new slabs building and cornices becoming overloaded if the forecast storm comes in early

Summary

Weather Forecast

A cold front is due to pass through Saturday night

Sat: trace snow with light SW wind gusting to 50. Freezing level 1900m. High -2

Sat night: 15cm snow with moderate SW wind gusting to 65. Freezing level 1000m

Sun: No precipitation, light W wind. Freezing level 1400m. High -7

Mon: No precipitation, light W wind. Freezing level 1700m. High -5

Snowpack Summary

Up to a meter of snow last week has settled significantly over the March 18 suncrust and surface hoar. At treeline and above windward and lee features have a 15cm variable hard wind packed layer on the surface. Meltfreeze conditions below treeline, solar meltfreeze to mountaintop. Cornices are huge.

Avalanche Summary

The infrasound network detected 2 large events this morning. A natural size 3 avalanche released from a south aspect in the Purcells on Thursday, this likely failed on the March 18th crust.

A group of skiers accidentally triggered a size 3 in the Teddy Bear Trees on Tuesday, this slab avalanche failed on the March 18th melt-freeze crust.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Pockets of wind slab in lee and crossloaded features may still be reactive to human triggering

  • Use caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.
  • Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 4th, 2021 8:00AM