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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 4th, 2021–Apr 5th, 2021

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

Regions

South Rockies.

Watch for cornices and wind slabs near ridgetops and be cautious on sun-exposed slopes. 

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with isolated flurries bringing 2-5 cm of snow, light northeast wind, freezing level dropping to valley bottom with treeline temperatures dropping to -8 C.

MONDAY: Sunny with a few clouds, light northwest wind, treeline temperatures reach 0 C with freezing level climbing to 2100 m.

TUESDAY: Sunny, 30 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures reach 0 C with freezing level climbing to 2200 m.

WEDNESDAY: Increasing cloud and some light afternoon flurries, 40-50 km/h southwest wind, freezing level around 2000 m.

Avalanche Summary

The last reported avalanche activity was on Thursday when some small wet loose avalanches on steep sun-exposed slopes.

Snowpack Summary

5-15 cm of heavy powder is sitting above crusts on all but north facing terrain at upper elevations. Some small wind slabs may be found on lee features below alpine ridgetops. Cornices are large, looming, and capable of triggering avalanches when they fail.

The mid-pack is firm and well settled. Some faceted snow and a decomposing melt-freeze crust can be found near the base of the snowpack. 

Glide cracks releasing as full depth glide slab avalanches become more common in the spring and are extremely difficult to predict. Best practice is to avoid slopes with glide cracks.

Terrain and Travel

  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.

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.