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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 3rd, 2024–Apr 4th, 2024

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

Regions

Glacier.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed on Wednesday.

Isolated natural avalanches up to size 3 were observed in north facing terrain on Tuesday.

On Sunday 2 people had a close call on Ursus Minor, narrowly being missed by a sz 2 which then launched over the cliffs below.

Also on Sunday, a skier was taken for a ride on Youngs Peak, and another triggered a large cornice along the ridge line.

Another close call with a cornice occurred along the ridgeline of Cheops on Sat.

Snowpack Summary

A spring snowpack exists in the park, with some new snow at higher elevations and a mix of crust and loose snow elsewhere.

At treeline a widespread crust buried on March 26th is down 30-40cm extends into the alpine on solar aspects.

The Feb 3rd crust/facet layer persists 80-140cm down. The mid and lower snowpack is well settled and strong with a record low depth of snow of ~210cm at tree line.

Weather Summary

Flurries continue Thursday at upper elevations, a drying trend starts Friday.

Tonight: Cloudy, Alp Low: -6, Ridge Wind: NE 15-25 km/h, Snow level: 900 m

Thur: Periods of snow, 2-4cm, Alp High: -5, Ridge Wind: E 20-40 km/h, Snow level: 800 m

Fri: Sun/Cloud, Alp High: 1, Light E Winds

Sat: Cloudy w/sunny periods, Alp High: 0, Light ridge wind

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
  • Remember that the snowpack will be significantly different at higher elevations than lower down.

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.

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.