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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 13th, 2022–Apr 14th, 2022

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.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Northwest Inland.

Carefully assess your line for wind slab hazard. Remember that small avalanches can have large consequences in the wrong terrain.

Cornices are large and exposure to them should be minimized, especially during warm or sunny weather.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the timing or intensity of solar radiation and its effect on the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Mainly clear, no precipitation. 25-40 km/h wind from the northeast, treeline temperatures drop to -14 C.

THURSDAY: Sunny, no precipitation. Light wind from the northeast, treeline temperatures reach -3 C.

FRIDAY: Mainly sunny, some high cloud, no precipitation. Light wind from variable directions, treeline temperatures reach -5 C.

SATURDAY: Mainly clear, no precipitation. Light variable wind, treeline temperatures reach -3 C.

Avalanche Summary

No notable avalanche activity has been reported since last Friday, but reports of blowing snow on Monday and Tuesday suggest wind slabs have formed at upper elevations.

Snowpack Summary

Open terrain has been wind-affected, with recent wind scouring southeast slopes and loading snow onto east and north-facing slopes. Sheltered areas may still have soft snow. A widespread melt-freeze crust can be found 20 to 50 cm deep in most areas, and up to 80 cm in the snowiest parts of the region. This crust is near the surface below 1200 m.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
  • Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
  • Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.
  • Cornices often break further back than expected; give them a wide berth when traveling on ridgetops.
  • As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.

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.

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.