Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 3rd, 2017–Mar 4th, 2017

Alpine

4: High

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Alpine

4: High

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Glacier.

With mid-storm conditions, the best skiing will be found in the trees. Natural avalanches could easily run full-path today, so avoid overhead hazards when traveling through the valley bottoms.

Weather Forecast

We are mid-storm at Rogers Pass. Expect 13cm of accumulation today with strong SW winds gusting to 70km/hr. Freezing levels will rise to 1400m this afternoon. Another 13cm will fall tonight before a weak and fleeting ridge of high pressure builds in on Saturday afternoon. More precipitation and decreasing temperatures are in store for next week.

Snowpack Summary

15cm fell overnight bringing the storm total to 40cm. Strong southerly winds have contributed to loading of lee features and the formation of widespread storm slabs. The Feb 14 layer, down ~70cm, is a crust everywhere but N aspects above 1600m where pockets of surface hoar may lurk.

Avalanche Summary

4 size 2 natural avalanches were observed in steep terrain facing the highway corridor east of Rogers Pass. Yesterday a field team ski cut a small size 1 avalanche on a steep roll on the Balu Pass headwall that failed down 35cm at the storm snow interface.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

Over 40cm of new snow in the past 3 days has been combined with strong southerly winds to create widespread and touchy storm slabs. Ongoing precipitation and wind activity could enable these slabs to step down and trigger deeper instabilities.

Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Loose Dry

Loose natural and skier triggered sluffs are almost certain today as snow and wind hammer Rogers Pass. The size, power and hazard posed by these slides depends directly on terrain characteristics like slope angle, terrain traps, and run out hazards.

Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain, particularly where the debris flows into terrain traps.Plan escape routes and identify safe zones before committing to your line.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Very Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 2