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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

May 5th, 2014–May 6th, 2014

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, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Little Yoho.

The snow is deep! 45 cm of storm snow has fallen, making excellent powder conditions on shaded slopes. Sun exposed slopes got baked today (only takes 5 minutes), so expect some breakable crust. We'll need a few days for a melt/freeze cycle to return.

Weather Forecast

The storm is over. Expect a mix of sun and cloud for Tuesday, with temperatures remaining below seasonal normals - high for Tuesday is -3 in at treeline. This pattern will continue, with a nice week ahead of sun/clouds and cool air. No precipitation is expected in the next few days. Wednesday looks to be the best day of the week.

Snowpack Summary

Another 5-10 cm of low density fluff fell on Sunday night, bringing the total storm snow accumulation to 45 cm. This snow is becoming moist on all but north aspects and below 2400 meters, and a few cycles of melt/freeze will be needed before the surface forms a strong crust again. Below this is a weak crust from last week, and moist snow below.

Avalanche Summary

Small loose snow avalanches were observed today running from rocks on south aspects.

Confidence

Problems

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.

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.