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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 3rd, 2020–Feb 4th, 2020

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

Regions

Glacier.

Remember that there has not been a melt-freeze cycle at higher elevations as you transition into the alpine, stay well back from cornices, and avoid windloaded pockets when entering slopes.

Weather Forecast

A brief bout of high pressure gives relatively stable weather and cold temps until mid week.

Today: Mainly sunny. Treeline temps High -15 C. Light SW ridge wind.

Tonight: Clear periods. Treeline temps Low -18 C. Light SW ridge wind.

Tuesday: Cloudy with isolated flurries. Treeline temps -13 C. Light W wind.

Snowpack Summary

We received 15-20cm of low density snow in the wake of Saturdays storm. This sits on firm surfaces from the Extreme winds, 70mm of precip, and 2000m freezing level mid storm. Expect rugged travel in all but smooth open slopes below treeline - with 10-15cm of snow on a crust- and pockets of windslab in lees at treeline and in the alpine.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity was observed or reported locally yesterday. 

A widespread cycle of large to very large natural avalanches occurred during Saturdays storm. Avalanche control using artillery produced numerous size 3-3.5 avalanches from all aspects.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

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.