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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 15th, 2021–Mar 16th, 2021

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

Regions

Northwest Inland.

Up to 15 cm new snow and moderate to strong southwest wind will form reactive wind slabs. In the southwest of the region the snowpack might need time to stabilize after the big weekend storm. Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds and shooting cracks.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength.

Weather Forecast

MONDAY NIGHT: Cloudy, 5 to 10 cm new snow, 50 km/h southwest wind, alpine low -7 C.

TUESDAY: Cloudy, up to 5 cm new snow, 40 km/h southwest wind, alpine high -1 C, freezing level rising to 1100 m.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy, 5 to 10 cm new snow, 40 km/h southerly wind, alpine high 0 C, freezing level 1100 m.

THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy, trace of new snow, 20 km/h southeast wind, alpine high 0 C, freezing level 1000 m. 

Avalanche Summary

A natural avalanche cycle with storm slab avalanches up to size 2.5 and small wet loose avalanches started on Saturday and lasted into Sunday in the southwest of the region. On Sunday, explosives control work resulted in a few small storm slabs and cornice failures of size 1.5. On Saturday, explosives triggered wet slab avalanches up to size 2.5. A few small natural wind slabs on steep northeast facing alpine features and several small wet loose avalanches at all elevations were observed as well. 

Several small natural wet loose avalanches of size 1 and a few small skier triggered wind slab avalanches (size 1) were reported on Friday.

Snowpack Summary

Most of the region received around 20 cm new snow during the recent storm except for the southwest of the region where snow amounts range between 50 and 100 cm. The snow fell with strong southerly wind. At lower elevations the precipitation fell as rain. The new snow may overly widespread wind affect at alpine elevations, feathery surface hoar on northerly aspects and in sheltered terrain features around treeline, or a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects and below treeline.

There are presently no widespread deeper concerns. However, faceted snow at the base of the snowpack exists in much of the region and always has the potential of being triggered in shallow, rocky slopes.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
  • Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.
  • 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.