Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 6th, 2022–Apr 7th, 2022

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 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.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Lizard-Flathead.

Keep an eye on the snow surface, as it gets moist with warming and solar input the size and likelihood of avalanches will increase.

Confidence

High - We are confident the likelihood of avalanche will increase with the arrival of the forecast weather.

Weather Forecast

Wednesday night: No new snow expected. Low of -4 at 1600 m. Light to moderate west winds.

Thursday: Mostly sunny with no new snow expected. Moderate southwest winds. Freezing level rising to 2100 m.

Friday: Stormy with up to 5 cm of snow in the alpine and rain below. Strong southwest winds and freezing levels around 2100 m.

Saturday:Stormy with up to 5 cm of new snow expected. Moderate southwest winds and freezing levels around 1500 m. 

Avalanche Summary

Over the past few days ski cutting and explosive control produced storm slab avalanches up to size 1.5 in the alpine and treeline. Several size 1.5 natural storm slab and dry loose avalanches were also observed.

We suspect that wet slab and wet loose avalanches could occur on all aspects and elevations except high north terrain as the freezing level rises and the sun comes out. Natural cornice falls will likely also increase.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 25 cm of previous snow has formed slabs at treeline and above. Below this a crust exists on all aspects to mountain top . Moist snow will be observed on all aspects and elevations except high north terrain as the freezing level rises and the sun comes out. 

 The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well bonded.

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid sun exposed slopes, especially if snow surface is moist or wet.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
  • Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.
  • Be careful as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Problems

Wet Slabs

Wet Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) that is generally moist or wet when the flow of liquid water weakens the bond between the slab and the surface below (snow or ground). They often occur during prolonged warming events and/or rain-on-snow events. Wet Slabs can be very unpredictable and destructive.

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.

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.