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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 6th, 2024–Apr 7th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Glacier.

Low hazard does not mean no hazard.

Winter snow may still be encountered in the high alpine, travel accordingly.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

There were a few small avalanches in extreme north-facing terrain in the highway corridor on Friday and no new reported on Saturday

Last Sunday there was one skier accidental Sz 1.5 on Youngs Peak and a close call from a natural Sz 2 on Ursus Minor.

Cornices remain a concern with two close calls last weekend on Youngs Peak and along the ridgeline of Cheops

Snowpack Summary

Below treeline, you will find a well-settled spring snowpack, with a strong surface crust that may break down during the heat of the day.

The treeline snow depth is a record low of ~210cm. A variable crust exists on all but high northerly aspects, which may still hold dry snow.

The Feb 3rd crust/facet layer persists at upper elevations, buried 80-140cm down.

Weather Summary

Stable weather ends Monday as a weak frontal system arrives.

Tonight: Cloudy, clear periods. Alpine Low -7 °C. Freezing level (FZL) 1300m. Light W ridge wind.

Sunday: Cloudy, sunny periods. Alpine High -4 °C. FZL 1800m. Moderate SW ridge wind.

Monday: Snow - 14cm. Low -7 °C, High -4 °C. FZL 8700m. Moderate to strong SW wind.

Tuesday: Scattered flurries - 5cm. Low -8 °C, High -5 °C. FZL 1800m. Moderate to strong W wind.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
  • Remember that the snowpack will be significantly different at higher elevations than lower down.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.