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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 8th, 2023–Mar 9th, 2023

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

Lizard-Flathead, Akamina, Flathead, Lizard.

Isolated wind slabs may exist on exposed alpine features. Carefully assess your line for wind slab before committing to it.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday, numerous size 1 loose dry avalanches were observed in the alpine. These avalanches were triggered by solar input during the day.

On Monday, a few size three natural avalanches were observed in the Hosmer area. These avalanches were likely triggered by a cornice failure due to solar radiation.

Snowpack Summary

Isolated wind slabs can be found on exposed westerly and northerly features in the alpine. A melt freeze crust is found on the surface of steep solar slopes. Up to 50 cm of soft snow from last week's storm can be found on non-wind affected slopes.

The mid-snowpack is generally well settled. The lower snowpack includes a layer of weak sugary crystals near the ground. These facets are slowly gaining strength and have not produced recent avalanche activity. We continue to track the layer and watch for any signs that it could wake up and produce very large avalanches.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Partly cloudy. Easterly ridgetop winds 25-40 km/h. Treeline temperatures, low of -15.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, trace accumulation. Southerly winds 15-25 km/h. Treeline temperatures, high of -10.

Friday

Cloudy with scattered flurries, 3-5 cm accumulation. Easterly ridgetop winds 25-40 km/h. Treeline temperatures, high of -10.

Overnight flurries continue 3-5 cm accumulation. Winds switch to the southwest 40 km/h.

Saturday

Cloudy with scattered flurries, 2-3 cm accumulation. Southwest ridgetop winds 25-40 km/h. Treeline temperatures, high of -8.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
  • Even brief periods of direct sun could produce natural avalanches.

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.