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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 9th, 2024–Mar 10th, 2024

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

Regions

Glacier.

We haven't had significant snowfall in a while, but it is not time to start stepping out yet.

Skiers/riders could still trigger large avalanches on the persistent weak layer.

Make plans to ski conservative slopes with limited overhead exposure, and stick to them.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Saturday, there were a few size 1.5-2.5 natural avalanches triggered by the wind in the steep terrain above the highway corridor East of the pass.

Thursday, we observed fresh naturally triggered size 3 slab avalanches from Catamount Mtn SE face and Mt. Leda NE face. These were both deep, likley failing on the Feb 3rd crust.

We continue to see daily reports in the region of human triggered avalanches on the Feb 3rd layer.

Snowpack Summary

Incoming new snow covers a thin suncrust on South & West aspects, previous wind effect from variable winds in open terrain, and settled powder in sheltered areas.

80-140cm of settled snow sits atop a sugary facet layer. These facets are not bonding well to the widespread, very firm crust from Feb 3rd. This crust is a significant persistent weak layer and will be the main layer of concern for the foreseeable future.

Weather Summary

A couple of weak cold fronts moving inland give snow flurries and gusty winds tonight and again Sunday evening.

Tonight: Flurries (5cm). Alpine low -8°C. Strong gusty SW ridgetop winds.

Sun: Flurries (~5cm). High -5°C. Freezing level (FZL) 1500m. Gusty mod SW winds.

Mon: Flurries (5-10cm). Low -8°C, High -6°C. FZL 1300m. Gusty moderate S winds.

Tues: Flurries (~5cm). Low -9°C, High -5°C. FZL 1500m. Light winds.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Use conservative route selection. Choose simple, low-angle, well-supported terrain with no overhead hazard.
  • Remote triggering is a concern, avoid terrain where triggering slopes from below is possible
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

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.