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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 7th, 2023–Mar 8th, 2023

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

Regions

Lizard-Flathead, Akamina, Flathead, Lizard.

Continually assess for wind slabs as you move through the terrain. Winds are forecast to increase through the day and may build fresh wind slabs on north and west aspects.

The sun packs a punch this time of year, brief periods of strong solar input could increase the reactivity of wind slabs and cornices.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Monday, A few small solar-induced avalanches were reported to size 1 throughout the region. A few size three natural avalanches were observed in the Hosmer area. These avalanches were likely triggered by a cornice failure due to solar radiation.

On Sunday, several small pockets of windslab were reportedly reactive to natural and human triggers. Ski cutting also resulted in a few loose dry avalanches.

Snowpack Summary

Storm snow has been redistributed by variable winds into wind slabs on all aspects in exposed alpine and upper treeline terrain. A melt freeze crust is found on the surface of steep solar slopes. Up to 50 cm of soft snow from last week's storm can be found on non-wind affected 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

Tuesday Night

Cloudy with clear periods. Southeasterly winds 15-20 km/h. Treeline temperatures, low of -13.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud. Easterly ridgetop winds 25-40 km/h. Treeline temperatures, high of -12.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud. Southerly winds 15-20 km/h. Treeline temperatures, high of -10.

Friday

Cloudy with scattered flurries, 2-4 cm accumulation. Easterly ridgetop winds 15-20 km/h. Treeline temperatures, high of -10.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Fresh wind slabs will likely form throughout the day, diligently watch for changing conditions.
  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
  • Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.
  • Even brief periods of direct sun could produce natural avalanches.

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.