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 unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Regions
South Rockies.
Sunshine and rising freezing levels will increase the likelihood of loose wet avalanches and cornice failures. Minimize exposure to sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
Confidence
Moderate - Due to the number of field observations
Weather Forecast
THURSDAY: Sunny. Light southwest wind. Alpine temperature +2. Freezing level 2400 m.FRIDAY: Sunny. Light to moderate southwest wind. Alpine temperature +3. Freezing level 2500 m.SATURDAY: Sunny. Strong southwest wind. Alpine temperature -1. Freezing level 1800 m.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported in this region on Tuesday, although this time of year there is a lack of information being submitted to us. If you have been out, please take some time to post your observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Snowpack Summary
Cornices are large and looming. Lingering wind slabs formed by 10-15 cm of recent storm snow and southerly winds may still be reactive to human triggers in wind affected terrain at treeline and above. These wind slabs overlie numerous crusts within the top 100 cm of a moist snowpack. A well settled and moist mid-pack sits above sugary facets in many parts of the region, especially thin snowpack areas.
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.
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.
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.