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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 12th, 2022–Apr 13th, 2022

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

Regions

North Rockies.

 Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.

Use high points in the terrain such as ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind-loaded snow.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Tuesday night: Partly cloudy / Strong east wind / Low of -20 / Freezing level valley bottom.

Wednesday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light east wind / High of -8 / Freezing level valley bottom.

Thursday: Sunny / Moderate east wind / High of -6 / Freezing level 600 m.

Friday: Increasing cloudiness / Light southeast wind / High of -5 / Freezing level 700 m.

Avalanche Summary

A few naturally triggered wind slabs up to size 1.5 were reported on northeasterly aspects in the alpine on Monday.

Snowpack Summary

20-40 cm of recent snow sits on a melt-freeze crust that exists on all aspects to at least 2000 m. A sun crust likely extends to mountain tops on solar aspects.

Recent strong winds from a variety of directions formed wind slabs on lee aspects at treeline and above.

The prominent layer in the upper snowpack is a melt-freeze crust down 40-70 cm.

Cornices are very large and exposure to slopes beneath them should be minimized, especially if the weather is sunny, warm, or windy.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Caution around slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.

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.