Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 14th, 2022–Apr 15th, 2022

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

Regions

Northwest Inland.

Avalanche conditions are generally safe. Things to always think about are pockets of wind slabs in steep alpine terrain, the possibility of cornice failure, and snowpack warming when the sun is out.

Confidence

High - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY NIGHT: Mainly clear. Alpine temperature drops to -12 C. 15-30 km/h winds from the east. 

FRIDAY: Mainly sunny. Alpine temperature rises to -5 C. Light variable winds.

SATURDAY: Mainly sunny. Alpine temperature rises to -3 C. 5-20 km/h wind from the south.

SUNDAY: Sunny. Alpine temperature rises to -4 C. 10-25 km/h winds from the south.

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, glacial icefall (serac) triggered a large persistent slab avalanche (size 3). This avalanche occurred on o northeast aspect in the alpine and is suspected to have failed on a crust from early April. The triggering of this avalanche was only possible with an extremely large load and is not representative of the general conditions of the region as a whole.

Looking forward, avalanche activity is unlikely given the current cool, unsettled weather trend. However, always be ready for the possibility of pockets of wind slabs in steep alpine terrain, cornice failures, and wet loose avalanches if the sun is out.

Snowpack Summary

Open terrain has been wind-affected, with recent wind scouring southeast slopes and loading snow onto east and north-facing slopes. Sheltered areas may still have soft snow. A widespread melt-freeze crust can be found 20 to 50 cm deep in most areas, and up to 80 cm in the snowiest parts of the region. This crust is near the surface below 1200 m.

Terrain and Travel

  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

Problems

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.