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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 13th, 2022–Apr 14th, 2022

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

Regions

Northwest Coastal.

Carefully assess your line for wind slab hazard. Remember that small avalanches can have large consequences in the wrong terrain.

Cornices are large and exposure to them should be minimized, especially during warm or sunny weather.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the timing or intensity of solar radiation and its effect on the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Mainly clear, no precipitation. 25-40 km/h wind from the northeast, treeline temperatures drop to -10 C.

THURSDAY: Sunny, no precipitation. Light wind from the northeast, treeline temperatures reach -3 C.

FRIDAY: Mainly sunny, some high cloud, no precipitation. Light wind from variable directions, treeline temperatures reach -1 C.

SATURDAY: Mainly clear, no precipitation. Light variable wind, treeline temperatures reach 0 C.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous natural wind slabs (size 2-3) were observed in the alpine on Monday and Tuesday as a result of northeasterly outflow winds. These wind slabs mainly occurred on west-facing slopes. 

Over the weekend there were a few large natural cornices, wind slab, and dry loose avalanches (size 2-2.5).

Snowpack Summary

Open terrain has been affected by strong outflow wind that has scoured east-facing slopes and loaded snow onto west-facing slopes. Sheltered areas may still have soft snow. Below 1200 m, a widespread crust exists on the surface. Above 1200 m, 40 to 80 cm of settled storm snow rests on a hard melt-freeze crust from late March. The snow has been bonding to this crust.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
  • Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
  • Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.
  • Cornices often break further back than expected; give them a wide berth when traveling on ridgetops.

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.