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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 24th, 2022–Apr 25th, 2022

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

Northwest Inland.

Limited field observations have been made in the past week. 

Make observations as you travel and be on the lookout for signs that suggest unstable snow. Expect snow conditions to change quickly with elevation, aspect, and time of day. 

Confidence

Low - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations. Uncertainty is due to the timing or intensity of solar radiation and its effect on the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with flurries, trace to 10 cm of new snow accumulation at higher elevations. Freezing level lowering to 1000 m. Light to moderate southwesterly winds.

MONDAY: Partially cloudy with light flurries, up to 5 cm of accumulation. Freezing level rising to 1400 m in the afternoon. Light to moderate southwesterly winds.

TUESDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with flurries, up to 5 cm of accumulation. Freezing level rising to 1500 m in the afternoon. Light southerly winds.

WEDNESDAY: Partially cloudy with isolated flurries. Freezing level rising to 1400 m in the afternoon. Light northwesterly winds. 

Avalanche Summary

Reports from the region have been very limited in the past week. Please let us know what you're seeing by filling out a MIN report!

Looking forward to Monday, we expect that reactive wind slabs may exist in lee terrain features in the alpine. Wet avalanche activity is possible on steep solar aspects and at low elevations with the potential for periods of strong solar radiation and rain.

Snowpack Summary

New snow and southerly winds are expected to create fresh deposits of wind slab in the alpine. This 5-10 cm of new snow overlies a heavily wind-affected surface in exposed terrain, the product of an intense wind event early last week. In sheltered areas, the upper snowpack is faceted from recent cold temperatures, and surface hoar may exist in isolated areas. A crust can be found on steep solar aspects and at low elevations, this crust may break down throughout the day with rain or strong solar radiation. The mid and lower snowpack is well bonded with no concerning weak layers. 

Terrain and Travel

  • As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
  • The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

Problems

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.

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.