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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 10th, 2021–Mar 11th, 2021

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

Regions

Northwest Inland.

New wind slab formation may occur on Thursday as a multi-day storm rolls in.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy, 20 km/h west wind, alpine temperature -8 C.

THURSDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 2 to 5 cm, 40 km/h west wind, alpine temperature -7 C.

FRIDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 10 to 20 cm, 40 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -5 C.

SATURDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 10 to 20 cm, 30 km/h south wind, alpine temperature -3 C, freezing level 1400 m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed on Wednesday at the time of writing. Looking ahead, newly formed wind slabs will be the primary concern on Thursday. 

Snowpack Summary

An incoming storm will bring strong southwest wind and a bit of new snow on Thursday, forming wind slabs at treeline and alpine elevations. The new snow may overly widespread wind affect at alpine elevations, feathery surface hoar on northerly aspects and in sheltered terrain features around treeline, or a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects and below treeline.

There are presently no widespread deeper concerns. However, faceted snow at the base of the snowpack exists in much of the region and always has the potential of being triggered in shallow, rocky slopes.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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.