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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 26th, 2021–Mar 27th, 2021

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

Regions

South Coast Inland.

 Mainly overcast Saturday prior to the next round of precipitation on Saturday night into Sunday. 

Confidence

High - The snowpack structure is generally well understood.

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY Night: Cloudy with clear periods and isolated flurries, light west and southwest wind, freezing level 1200 m with treeline temperatures -3 C.

SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy with flurries starting in the afternoon, moderate southwest wind, freezing level 1500 m with treeline temperatures 0 C.

SUNDAY: Snow, accumulation 10-20 cm, moderate to strong southwest wind, freezing 1200 m with treeline temperatures around -3 C.

MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, moderate northwest wind, freezing level 1000 m with treeline temperatures around -5 C.

Avalanche Summary

Most recent reports are limited to size 1 loose dry and wet from steep terrain facing the sun in the alpine and treeline.

Looking forward, wind slabs may remain triggerable at higher elevations and use caution on sun-exposed slopes if clear skies prevail, which is forecast for the north of the region.

Snowpack Summary

20-30 cm of snow fell ove the last week. All this snow is likely bonding to the snowpack below, but there could be some wind slabs that linger at higher elevations from southwest wind. All this snow sits above a widespread hard crust, with the exception of high north-facing terrain. The lower snowpack is strong and settled.

Remember that cornices along ridgelines are large at this time of year and always have the possibility of failing naturally or from the weight of a human.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • 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

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.