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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 14th, 2021–Mar 15th, 2021

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

Regions

South Coast Inland.

Recently formed slabs could be triggered by riders on Monday. Cornices are weakening and be cautious on sun-exposed slopes if sunny skies prevail.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 2 to 5 cm, 20 km/h northeast wind, alpine temperature -11 C.

MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, 10 km/h south wind, alpine temperature -8 C.

TUESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, 10 to 20 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -5 C.

WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, 20 km/h south wind, alpine temperature -3 C.

Avalanche Summary

We haven't yet received word of avalanche activity from Sunday's storm, but it is likely that wind slabs built over the day and could have been triggerable by the end of the day. Perhaps we will hear of observations once the skies clear on Monday. Looking forward, wind slabs could still be triggered by riders on Monday. Sun-exposed slopes and cornices will also weaken during daytime warming.

Snowpack Summary

Around 5 cm of snow accumulated on Sunday, falling with moderate to strong southerly wind. Wind slabs may remain in leeward slopes at treeline and alpine elevations. The snow overlies previously wet snow or a hard melt-freeze crust, with the exception being on high-elevation northerly aspects where the snow surface was dry but wind-affected. The sun may shine on Monday, moistening sun-exposed slopes and weakening cornices.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
  • Extra caution is needed around cornices under the current conditions.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.

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.