Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Apr 2nd, 2017–Apr 3rd, 2017

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Lizard-Flathead.

Snowfall amounts are variable and uncertain for Sunday night. Watch for storm slabs at higher elevations.

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Monday

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY NIGHT: Unstable weather will bring spotty precipitation with 5-15 cm of snow possible, gusty winds, and freezing level dropping to the valley. MONDAY: Cloudy with some lingering flurries in the morning then clearing in the afternoon, light north winds, freezing level climbing to 1600 m.TUESDAY: Sunny, moderate southwest wind, freezing level up to 1800 m after an overnight freeze.WEDNESDAY: Sunny with patchy clouds, moderate west winds, freezing level climbing to 2500 m with little overnight freeze.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported since Friday. On Friday, numerous storm slab avalanches up to size 2.5 were reported from explosive control, as well as loose wet avalanches released by ski cuts up to size 1.5. One natural cornice fall on Thursday was size 3, and pulled a storm slab from the slope below. On Monday, fresh storm slabs at higher elevations are the primary concern. Cornices will become a bigger concern throughout the week as temperatures warm up.

Snowpack Summary

Expect a wide range of new snow amounts on Monday morning. A total of 5-25 cm of snow could sit above a mixture of crusts and moist snow surfaces that formed during the recent warm and sunny weather. The thick supportive crust was reported to break down below 1600 m with daytime warming on Sunday. The earlier March crust is now down 40-100 cm. The December facets and November rain crust are buried deep, but they did not become reactive during the latest period of warm weather, rain, and strong solar radiation.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

New snow and wind are forming storm slabs at higher elevations where the snow is still dry.

Be wary of slopes that did not previously avalanche.Use caution on open slopes and convex rolls Use caution in lee areas. Wind loading could create slabs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Cornices

Cornices are large and may fall off naturally during periods of sun or from daytime warming.

Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 2