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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 24th, 2021–Mar 25th, 2021

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

Regions

South Coast Inland.

Steep alpine terrain may still hold wind slabs. If sunny skies prevail, use caution on sun-exposed slopes during the heat of the day.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the timing or intensity of solar radiation and its effect on the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with flurries bringing 5-10 cm of new snow through the morning with higher amounts in the south of the region, light northwest wind, freezing 1200 m with treeline temperatures around -4 C.

THURSDAY: Sunny in the north of the region and mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries bringing 1-3 cm for the south of the region, light north wind, freezing level 1500 m with treeline temperatures around -3 C.

FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, light southwest wind, freezing level 1600 m with treeline temperatures -2 C.

SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy wtih isolated flurries, light southwest wind, freezing level 1800 m with treeline temperatures -1 C.

Avalanche Summary

Small avalanches were triggered within recent snow on Tuesday. This was likely the case for Wednesday as well, within the 5-15 cm of overnight snow.

Looking forward, wind slabs may remain triggerable at higher elevations and use caution on sun-exposed slopes if clear skies prevail, which is forecast for the north of the region.

Snowpack Summary

Another 5 to 15 cm of snow on Wednesday adds to the 15 to 30 cm of settled snow from the weekend. All this snow is likely bonding to the snowpack, but there could be some wind slabs that linger at higher elevations from southwest wind. All this snow sits above a widespread hard crust, with the exception of high north-facing terrain. The lower snowpack is strong and settled.

Remember that cornices along ridgelines are large at this time of year and always have the possibility of failing naturally or from the weight of a human.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
  • 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.

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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.