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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 3rd, 2015–Apr 4th, 2015

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

South Rockies.

Snowpack and avalanche observations are becoming scarce. If you've been in the backcountry, please tell us what you've seen via the Mountain Information Network. For more details, click here.

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Saturday

Weather Forecast

On Saturday, expect light snowfall (up to 5cm). On Sunday, we should see a mix of sun and cloud. Up to 10cm of snow is forecast for Monday with highest accumulations falling in the south of the region. Ridgetop winds should be moderate from the southwest with Saturday's pulse, becoming light for the rest of the period. Daytime freezing levels should remain at about 1600m.

Avalanche Summary

We have had no recent reports of avalanche activity.

Snowpack Summary

Observations have been extremely limited, although I expect light amounts of low-density snow overlie a widespread and supportive melt-freeze crust,. Gusty winds may have redistributed the surface snow resulting in wind slab formation in the alpine. The mid-March rain crust is down 35 to 70cm and has shown a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the mid and lower snowpack and there may be potential for these layers to wake up with a big cornice fall, sustained warming and/or a significant rain event.

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.