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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 3rd, 2021–Apr 4th, 2021

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

Regions

South Coast.

The recent snow and cornices may be reactive as they warm up during the heat of the day.

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with snowfall then clearing, accumulation 5 cm, 30 km/h west wind, treeline temperature -3 C, freezing level 1000 m.

SUNDAY: Mix of sun and clouds, 20 km/h north wind, treeline temperature -2 C, freezing level rising to 1100 m.

MONDAY: Clear skies, 20 km/h north wind, treeline temperature 1 C, freezing level rising to 2300 m.

TUESDAY: Clear skies, 20 km/h northwest wind, treeline temperature 3 C, freezing level 2500 m.

Avalanche Summary

No reports of avalanche activity were available at the time of publishing, but it is likely that storm and wind slab avalanches were triggerable on Saturday at high elevations. This snow will likely still be triggerable on Sunday, if you climb high enough to find it.

Snowpack Summary

You may find anywhere from 10 to 20 cm of snow from Saturday's storm above around 1400 m, with the most in the north of the region. The snow fell with strong southerly wind, so wind slabs may be found at high elevations on northerly aspects. The snow overlies a hard melt-freeze crust, so it could take a few days to bond to it. If sunny skies prevail on Sunday, the snow may moisten on sun-exposed slopes. Below around 1400 m, the snow is likely wet or has frozen into a hard melt-freeze crust.

Cornices are large and looming along ridgelines. Their release is unpredictable, requiring a large berth if you're travelling above or below them.

Terrain and Travel

  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
  • The new snow may require another day to settle and stabilize.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Avoid sun exposed slopes, especially if snow surface is moist or wet.

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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.