Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 6th, 2019 3:45PM
The alpine rating is Wind Slabs.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeWith a stable weather pattern conditions are mostly stable. Watch for pockets of windslab and keep an eye on slopes getting hit by strong sun.
Summary
Confidence
High - The weather pattern is stable
Weather Forecast
Little change is on the horizon.WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Clear, dry, cold, and light north or northeast windsTHURSDAY: Sunny, dry, light northwest wind, alpine high temperatures near -7 C.FRIDAY: Sunny, dry, light northwest wind, alpine temperatures near -5 C.SATURDAY: Mostly sunny, dry, light west wind, alpine temperatures near -5 C.
Avalanche Summary
On Tuesday in the northern part of the region there was a single report of a size 1.5 windslab releasing on facets.One small slab avalanche (size 1) was triggered remotely by a group of skiers on Sunday. It was 40 cm thick and occurred on an east aspect at 1400 m.
Snowpack Summary
Many days of outflow winds have scoured the surface in exposed terrain and formed hard wind slabs on all aspects. South facing slopes likely have crusts on the surface.Roughly 30-50 cm of snow sits above a layer of cold, soft faceted snow and surface hoar. This layer has been reactive in some snowpack tests and could enhance the propagation of wind slabs if triggered.The lower snowpack is generally considered strong.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Strong shifting wind has left slabs on all aspects. These slabs could be more reactive on north and west aspects where they sit above weak faceted snow.
Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small avalanches may have severe consequences.Use caution on open slopes and convex rolls Whumpfing, shooting cracks and recent avalanches are all strong inicators of unstable snowpack.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 7th, 2019 2:00PM