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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 2nd, 2021–Apr 3rd, 2021

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

Regions

Northwest Inland.

Light amounts of snow and moderate to strong southwesterly winds will continue to form fresh wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above. Stay alert to changing conditions with elevation and aspect to avoid wind-loaded slopes. 

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Weather Forecast

  

  

FRIDAY NIGHT: Flurries; 3-5 cm. / Strong, southwest ridgetop wind / alpine low temperature -8 / Freezing level valley bottom.

SATURDAY: Snow; 5-10 cm. / Moderate, southwest ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature 1 / Freezing level 900 m.

SUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Moderate, northwest ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature 0 / Freezing level 900 m.

MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Strong, west ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature 0 / Freezing level 1000 m.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches were reported in this region on Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

Moderate to strong winds from shifting directions have formed wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above on a variety of aspects. A firm crust exists at lower elevations.

Buried 70-120 cm. deep, a spotty layer of surface hoar may exist on sheltered north aspects, but no recent avalanches have been reported on this layer.

The mid and lower snowpack is reported as well settled and strong in most areas. However, weak facets exist at the base of the snowpack in the more shallow snowpack zones within much of the region and have the potential to be triggered on steep, rocky slopes with a shallow or thin to thick snowpack; especially with large loads such as a cornice fall.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain.
  • Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
  • Caution around slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.

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.