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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 3rd, 2021–Apr 4th, 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.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Sea To Sky.

Assess for potential reactivity of the recent snow and use particular caution during the heat of the day.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the timing or intensity of solar radiation and its effect on the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with snowfall then clearing, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, 40 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -6 C.

SUNDAY: Partly cloudy, 20 km/h north wind, alpine temperature -7 C, freezling level rising to 1500 m.

MONDAY: Clear skies, 10 km/h north wind, alpine temperature 0 C, freezing level rising to 2000 m.

TUESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, 20 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -1 C, freezing level 1800 m.

Avalanche Summary

Storm and wind slab avalanches were likely triggerable on Saturday and into the night at high elevations. The snow could still be triggered on Sunday for areas that received sufficient snowfall.

Snowpack Summary

You may find around 10 to 20 cm of snow from Saturday's storm above 1600 m. The snow fell with strong southeast wind, so wind slabs may be found at high elevations on lee terrain features. The snow overlies a hard melt-freeze crust everywhere except for wind-affected snow on north aspects above 1600 m, so it could take a few days to bond to underlying surfaces. If sunny skies prevail on Sunday, the snow may moisten on sun-exposed slopes. Below around 1600 m, the snow is likely wet or has frozen into a hard melt-freeze crust.

Cornices are large and looming along ridgelines. Their release is unpredictable, requiring a large berth if you're travelling above or below them.

Terrain and Travel

  • The new snow may require another day to settle and stabilize.
  • Avoid sun exposed slopes, especially if snow surface is moist or wet.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.