Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 2nd, 2024–Apr 3rd, 2024

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

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

Glacier.

Watch for fresh wind slabs and give cornices a wide berth.

Travel conditions below treeline will deteriorate with rain forecast and then cooling temperatures.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Isolated natural avalanches up to size 3 were observed in north facing terrain on Tuesday. The avalanche hazard will rise overnight with forecast weather.

On Sunday 2 people had a close call on Ursus Minor, narrowly being missed by a sz 2 which then launched over the cliffs below.

Also on Sunday, a skier was taken for a ride on Youngs Peak, and another triggered a large cornice along the ridge line.

Another close call with a cornice occurred along the ridgeline of Cheops on Sat.

Snowpack Summary

A spring storm will add rain to the snowpack, changing to snow on Wednesday. This new load, accompanied with strong winds, will build fresh wind slabs on lee features.

At treeline a widespread crust down 30-40cm extends into the alpine on solar aspects.

The Feb 3rd crust/facet layer persists 80-140cm down. The mid and lower snowpack is well settled and strong with a record low depth of snow of ~210cm at tree line.

Weather Summary

A cold front brings cool, unstable air to our region through the next few days.

Tonight: Cloudy w/rain+snow, 5-10 cm, Alp Low: -6, Ridge Wind: SW 25 gusting to 75 km/h, Snow level: 1300 m

Wed: Cloudy w/flurries, 5 cm, Alp High: -5, Winds: W-15 gusting to 45 km/h, Snow Level: 1100 m

Thur: Clouds/Sun/Flurries, Alp High: -3, Mod East Winds

Fri: Cloudy w/sunny periods, Alp High: 1, Light ridge winds

Terrain and Travel Advice

Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Remember that the snowpack will be significantly different at higher elevations than lower down.

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.

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.