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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 9th, 2022–Apr 10th, 2022

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.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

North Rockies.

The recently strong southwest winds are switching to northeasterly on Sunday. Wind slabs may be found on a variety of aspects at treeline and above. 

Use high points in the terrain such as ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind-loaded snow. 

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Weather Forecast

Saturday night: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries; 0-5 cm / Light northeast wind / Low of -12 / Freezing level valley bottom.

Sunday: Sunny / Moderate northeast wind / High of -3 / Freezing level 1000 m.

Monday: Mix of sun and cloud / Moderate east wind / High of -8 / Freezing level valley bottom.

Tuesday: Mix of sun and cloud / Strong east wind / High of -10 / Freezing level valley bottom.

Avalanche Summary

Naturally triggered wet loose avalanches up to size 1.5 were reported on all aspects on Friday.

Wet loose avalanches will become less likely as temperatures cool, but remain possible on sunny days.

Snowpack Summary

3-15 cm of new snow buries a melt-freeze crust that exists on all aspects to at least 2000 m. A sun crust likely extends to mountain tops on solar aspects.

Recent strong westerly winds formed wind slabs on lee aspects at treeline and above.

The prominent layer in the upper snowpack is a melt-freeze crust down 50-70 cm.

Cornices are very large and exposure to slopes beneath them should be minimized, especially if the weather is sunny, warm, or windy.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.

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.