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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 25th, 2022–Mar 26th, 2022

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, 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

North Rockies.

Wind slabs may be reactive to human triggering at upper elevations. Use caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.

Confidence

High - The snowpack structure is generally well understood.

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 2 to 5 cm, 15 to 35 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -6 C.

SATURDAY: Cloudy with light snowfall, up to 5 cm of accumulation, 15-40 km/h south winds, alpine temperature rising to -3 C. Freezing level reaching 1500 m.

SUNDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, 5-10 cm of accumulation. 10-30 km/h northwest winds, alpine temperature rising to -3 C. Freezing level reaching 1700 m. 

MONDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, 5 cm accumulation. 20-40 km/h northwest winds, alpine temperature rising to -3 C. Freezing level reaching 1600 m.

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday, a natural wind slab (size 2) was observed in the alpine from southwest winds redistributing new snow.

Widespread loose wet and wet slab avalanche activity occurred during the warm-up on Wednesday. 

Looking forward, riders may be able to trigger wind slabs in lee terrain features in steep alpine terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20 cm of recent snowfall and southwest winds have formed wind slabs in lee terrain features in the alpine. This new snow tapers rapidly with elevation. Below 2300 m, a melt-freeze crust can be found with moist snow below.

There are no deeper concerns at this time.

Terrain and Travel

  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • 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.