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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 25th, 2021–Mar 26th, 2021

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

Regions

South Coast.

Lingering wind slabs at upper elevations are the main concern.

Confidence

High - The snowpack structure is generally well understood.

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY Night: Cloudy with clear periods, light to moderate northeast wind, freezing level 1000 m with treeline temperatures near -2 C.

FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, light to moderate northwest wind, freezing level around 1300 m with treeline temperatures 0 C. 

SATURDAY: Mainly cloudy, moderate southwest wind, freezing level rising to 1200 m with treeline temperature near 0 C.

SUNDAY: Snow, moderate to strong southwest wind, freezing level 1000 m with treeline temperatures around -2 C.

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, riders triggered loose dry avalanches to size 1, which switched to loose wet as the freezing level rose over the day. The avalanches were reported as small (size 1). On Tuesday, this MIN describes recent slab avalanche activity near Mt Strachan.

Snowpack Summary

10 to 15 cm of snow accumulated on Tuesday night, forming new storm slabs and wind slabs in exposed terrain. This snow overlies 35 to 45 cm of snow from Sunday, which is likely now settled and bonded to the snowpack below. The snow surface may moisten at upper elevations on Friday as the freezing level hovers around 1300 m. Along ridgelines, cornices are large and always have the potential of failing or being triggered from the weight of a human.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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.