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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 20th, 2020–Mar 23rd, 2020

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

Regions

North Rockies.

Light precipitation combined with moderate to strong wind will likely promote wind slab formation on Sunday. If you are heading out, please share your observations on the Mountain Information Network MIN.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to limitations in the field data.

Weather Forecast

Friday Night: Cloudy with clear periods. Moderate northwest winds. Alpine high temperature around -8.

Saturday: Cloudy with sunny breaks. Moderate to strong north winds. Alpine high temperature around -5. Freezing level 1400 m.

Sunday: Flurries, accumulation 5-10 cm. Light to moderate southwest wind. Alpine high temperature around -6. Freezing level 1200 m.

Monday: Scattered flurries. Moderate northeast wind. Alpine high temperature around -5. Freezing level 800 m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported over the past couple of days.

Snowpack Summary

Recent strong north and east winds have created widespread wind effect in the alpine and tree line. Sunshine has been strong enough to create a new surface crust on steep southerly slopes, thickest at lower elevations. 

At lower elevations, two surface hoar layers 50-60 cm and 75-90 cm below the surface remain a concern in the northern part of the region - especially where a slab has formed on the surface from warming and/or winds. Recent warm temperatures for an extended period are likely having a stabilizing effect on these buried weak layers. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if they have large cornices overhead.
  • Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.
  • Be very cautious in open terrain features, such as cutblocks, gullies, and cutbanks.

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.