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

Mar 23rd, 2022–Mar 24th, 2022

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

Regions

South Columbia.

We're in the time of year where you may find a different avalanche problem on every aspect and elevation. Carefully assess your local conditions.

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with rain switching to snow, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, 20 to 40 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -7 C, freezing level 2000 m dropping to 1100 m.

THURSDAY: Mostly clear skies with no precipitation, 10 km/h northwest wind, alpine temperature -5 C, freezing level rising to 1600 m.

FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, trace accumulation, 10 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -3 C.

SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, trace accumulation, 20 km/h south wind, alpine temperature -1 C.

Avalanche Summary

A large (size 3) persistent slab avalanche was observed on an east aspect in alpine terrain, likely releasing on the weak layer described in the Snowpack Summary. This layer continues to produce a few avalanches each day. The layer should be treated as suspect anywhere it exists.

Snowpack Summary

Above around 2000 m, new snow will accumulate with strong southwest wind, possibly forming new wind slabs in lee terrain features. Below around 2000 m, a moist snow surface or hard melt-freeze crust will be found. The snow surface may moisten during daytime warming, particularly on sun-exposed slopes.

A weak layer may be found around 50 to 100 cm deep. The layer consists of surface hoar crystals in treeline terrain in areas sheltered from the wind and otherwise a hard melt-freeze crust associated with weak faceted grains on sun-exposed slopes (i.e., east, south, west). Check out this blog for more information. This layer continues to form a few large avalanches in the region each day, most commonly between 1800 and 2300 m on all aspects. This layer is isolated in nature so the likelihood of triggering it is low, but the consequence of doing so could be high.

There are presently no deeper concerns.

Terrain and Travel

  • Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.
  • Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

Problems

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.

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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.