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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 3rd, 2022–Apr 4th, 2022

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

Regions

North Rockies.

Forecast snow amounts vary highly in the region, from 10 to 25 cm. Fresh storm and wind slabs will build throughout the day with moderate to strong southwest wind. Choose conservative terrain if you see more than 15 cm new snow and wind is moving snow.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the track & intensity of the incoming weather system.

Weather Forecast

Sunday night: Mix of clouds and clear periods, 5-10 cm snow, moderate to strong southwest wind, alpine low -6 °C, freezing level around 700 m. 

Monday: Cloudy, 5-15 cm snow, moderate to strong southwest wind, alpine high -4 °C, freezing level around 1400 m.

Tuesday: Mainly cloudy, 5-10 cm snow, moderate west wind, alpine high -5 °C, freezing level at 1400 m.

Wednesday: Mainly sunny, trace of new snow, moderate westerly wind, alpine high -3 °C, freezing level 1500 m.

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday, a small natural wind slab avalanche was observed on a north aspect in the alpine. A rider triggered a small slab avalanche on the same slope. Both avalanches likely occurred on Saturday.

On Saturday, many natural dry loose avalanches were reported in steep terrain, as well as a large cornice failure that released a slab on the slope below. 

On Friday, a small wind slab avalanche was observed in steep rocky terrain. 

No new avalanches were reported on Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

The upper 60 cm of the snowpack consist of multiple crusts. The surface snow consists of a thin crust up to 1800 m that is supportive below 1400 m. 

The new snow will add to the 20-30 cm recent snow that sits on the thick melt-freeze crust from late March. This crust can be found up to 1900 m on all aspects. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
  • Fresh wind slabs will likely form throughout the day, diligently watch for changing conditions.
  • Keep in mind the crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.