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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 9th, 2023–Mar 10th, 2023

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

Lizard-Flathead, Akamina, Flathead, Lizard.

Watch for changing conditions and signs of slab formation as storm snow accumulates throughout the day. Be especially cautious in wind-loaded lee areas where deeper pockets exist.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, numerous size 1 loose dry avalanches were observed in the alpine. These avalanches were triggered by solar input during the day.

Backcountry users should anticipate seeing in signs of instability as storm snow accumulates throughout the day.

Snowpack Summary

New snow overlies wind affected surfaces in the alpine and a sun crust on solar slopes.

The mid-snowpack is generally well settled. The lower snowpack includes a layer of weak sugary crystals near the ground. These facets are slowly gaining strength and have not produced recent avalanche activity. We continue to track the layer and watch for any signs that it could wake up and produce very large avalanches.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Increasing cloud through the evening with isolated flurries, trace accumulation. Southerly winds 15-30 km/h. Treeline temperature low of -10.

Friday

Cloudy with flurries, 5-15 cm accumulation. Easterly ridgetop winds 30-50 km/h. Treeline temperature high of -7.

Overnight flurries continue 4-8 cm accumulation. Winds switch to the southwest 30 km/h.

Saturday

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries, trace accumulation. Southwest ridgetop winds 25-40 km/h. Treeline temperature high of -5.

Sunday

A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, trace accumulation. Southwest ridgetop winds 25-40 km/h. Treeline temperature high of -2. Freezing levels rise to 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.

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.