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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 18th, 2014–Apr 19th, 2014

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

Regions

Northwest Inland.

This bulletin was created using very limited field data. If you are out in the mountains, please send your observations to [email protected]

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

Unsettled conditions and light precipitation are expected for most of Saturday before the next low pressure system hits the north coast Saturday evening. There is quite a bit of uncertainty as to how much precipitation will make it into the inland region and there is a possibility that the storm will be confined to the coast. Light scattered precipitation is expected for Sunday and Monday.Saturday: Precipitation 1-3mm, freezing level am: 1000m pm: 1500m, ridgetop wind: moderate SE-SWSat. Night: Precipitation 2-8mm, ridgetop wind: strong S-SWSunday: Precipitation 1-3mm, freezing level am: 1200m pm: 1600m, ridgetop wind: moderate-strong SE-SWSun. Night/Monday: Precipitation 2-5mm, freezing level am: 1100m pm: 1500m, ridgetop wind: moderate-strong S-SW decreasing to light SE-S

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported but this may be due to a lack of observers in the field.

Snowpack Summary

The new snow may sit on a melt-freeze crust, old wind slabs in leeward features, or dry snow in sheltered north facing terrain at higher elevations. Recent strong S through W winds have created wind slabs in leeward features. In some areas, there may still be a weak layer below the old storm snow, down roughly 50-80cm, but triggering of this layer has become stubborn or unlikely. Cornices are also large and potentially weak, particularly during periods of warming. The early February persistent weak layer is typically down 1.5 to 2m. Triggering of this layer has become unlikely but may still be possible with heavy triggers such as cornice falls or smaller avalanches stepping-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.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.