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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 9th, 2021–Mar 10th, 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, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Northwest Inland.

Increasing wind has the potential to form new wind slabs.

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY NIGHT: Clear skies, 40 km/h north wind, alpine temperature -11 C.

WEDNESDAY: Clear skies, 20 to 40 km/h northeast wind, alpine temperature -10 C.

THURSDAY: Increasing clouds with afternoon snowfall, accumulation 2 to 5 cm, 30 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -7 C.

FRIDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 10 to 20 cm, 40 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -9 C.

Avalanche Summary

A small slab was triggered on a steep northeast aspect on Monday in the south of the region. Otherwise, a few small loose wet avalanches were observed on steep, sun-exposed slopes.

Snowpack Summary

Moderate to strong northerly wind is forecast Monday night. Alpine terrain is already heavily wind affected but small pockets of new wind slab may form on southerly aspects. At treeline elevations, soft snow exists to be blown by the wind, so new slabs could form and may overly a melt-freeze crust from the recent warm and sunny spell. Below treeline, the snow surface is expected to moisten during the day below the freezing level and freeze into a melt-freeze crust at night.

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.
  • Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Avoid exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.

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.