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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 26th, 2022–Mar 27th, 2022

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Northwest Inland.

Limit exposure to slopes with cornices above and assess steep lines for wind slabs before committing to them.

Confidence

High - We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast

Weather Forecast

Saturday night: Possibility of light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow with light southeast winds. Low of -4 at 1500 m.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy with no new snow expected. Light variable winds and freezing levels rising to 1300 m.

Monday: Sunny with no new snow expected. Light variable winds and freezing levels rising to 1300 m.

Tuesday: Cloudy with the possibility of light flurries bringing trace amounts of snow with light to moderate south winds. Freezing levels rising to 1500 m.

Avalanche Summary

ON Friday our field team observed a few dry loose avalanches up to size 1.5 on north facing terrain in the alpine. Several small wet loose avalanches were also observed at lower elevations in the region.

Snowpack Summary

A supportive crust extends into the alpine on all aspects. This crust will likely become moist at lower elevations as the freezing level rises. Wind slabs may be found at high elevations on north and east aspects.

A couple of layers of weak crystals in the upper snowpack appear to be bonding according to recent snowpack tests. Additionally, we suspect that the surface crust will help bridge these layers, further decreasing their likelihood of triggering.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
  • A crust on the surface will help bind the snow together, but may make for tough travel conditions.

Problems

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.

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.