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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 25th, 2022–Apr 28th, 2022

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

North Rockies.

Continuously assess for changing conditions as you move through terrain. Winter like conditions could still be found at higher elevations.

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

Monday night: Up to 5 cm of new snow expected with light to moderate southwest winds. Freezing level falling to 1100 m.

Tuesday: A mix of sun and cloud with flurries bringing up to 5 cm of new snow for most of the region, eastern slopes could receive 10 to 15 cm. Light variable winds and freezing levels around 1700 m.

Wednesday: A mix of sun and cloud with up to 5 cm of new snow possible. Moderate northwest to west winds and freezing levels around 1700 m.

Thursday: A mix of sun and cloud with the possibility of flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Light to moderate west winds. Freezing level around 1800 m.

Avalanche Summary

Natural wet loose avalanches up to size two have been observed throughout the region over the past few days. Information is limited at this time of year. Please consider submitting to the Mountain Information Network!

We suspect that rider triggerable wind slab could still be found in the alpine. When the freezing level rises or the sun comes out wet loose avalanches become likely.

Snowpack Summary

Dry snow and pockets of wind slab can still be found in the alpine. The upper snowpack contains several crusts that extend to mountain top on solar aspects. Moist snow will likely be observed at lower elevation terrain and on solar aspects if the sun comes out.

The snowpack below treeline is thinning quickly.

Cornices are large and exposure to slopes beneath them should be minimized, especially if the weather is sunny, warm, or windy. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
  • Minimize your exposure time below cornices.

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.

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.