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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 23rd, 2017–Mar 24th, 2017

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

Regions

Glacier.

Remember two things:Manage the uncertainty of persistent slabs by avoiding large committing slopes. Watch for an increase in hazard on solar aspects and slopes below cornices if and when the sun shines.

Weather Forecast

A mix of sun and cloud for today during a pause between frontal systems. Even brief appearances of the sun will have a profound effect on the snowpack in steep south facing terrain.  Freezing levels will rise to 1400m with SW winds gusting to 35km/h.  Precipitation arrives on Friday morning with 15cm of new snow expected by Saturday evening.

Snowpack Summary

10cm of new snow fell over night in generally cool conditions at higher elevations. Strong southerly winds picked up this morning depositing snow in alpine lee's and adding to the already huge cornices. Lingering storm instabilities down 30-60cm are still reactive. Persistent weak layers exists down 150cm and near the base of the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

A few small loose wet avalanches were observed yesterday in the highway corridor. Natural avalanche activity has subsided since our last major snowfall. Expect to see avalanche activity pick up this weekend as more snow and wind arrives in Rogers Pass.

Confidence

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.