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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 16th, 2022–Feb 17th, 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, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Northwest Inland.

New snow and strong winds on Wednesday night are expected to form fresh wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above. Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain. 

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Snow; 5-10 cm (rain below ~700 m) / Extreme, west wind / Low of -2 / Freezing level rising to 1100 m.

THURSDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries; 0-3 cm, and another 5-10 cm overnight / Strong, west wind / High of 1 / Freezing level 1200 m.

FRIDAY: Cloudy with flurries; 3-5 cm / Strong, southwest wind / High of 2 / Freezing level 1200 m.

SATURDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries; 0-3 cm / Light, west wind / High of -2 / Freezing level 800 m.

Avalanche Summary

Several skier triggered size 1 wind slabs were reported on Tuesday. The size and distribution of the wind slabs are expected to increase with the incoming snow Wednesday night.

Snowpack Summary

5-10 cm of forecast snow and strong west winds on Wednesday night are expected to form fresh wind slabs sitting on a thick rain crust. 

The 10-20 cm thick rain crust makes human triggering of avalanches on weak layers deeper in the snowpack very unlikely.

However, cornices overhead are a primary concern during sunny, warm, or windy conditions. Cornice failures can trigger very large persistent slab avalanches that would otherwise be difficult to human trigger.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.
  • Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.

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.