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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 7th, 2022–Apr 8th, 2022

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

Regions

Northwest Inland.

Another 10-20 cm new snow will fall with moderate to strong southwest and west wind forming fresh storm and wind slabs which are likely reactive to human triggers. 

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the track & intensity of the incoming weather system.

Weather Forecast

Thursday night: Cloudy, 5-10 cm snow, moderate southwest wind, alpine low -3 °C, freezing level around 1300 m.

Friday: Mix of sun and cloud, 5-10 cm snow, moderate to strong west wind, alpine high -2 °C, freezing level around 1000 m.

Saturday: Mix of sun and cloud, up to 5 cm snow, moderate westerly wind, alpine high -5 °C, freezing level around 800 m.

Sunday: Sunny, trace of new snow, light northeast wind, alpine high -3 °C, freezing level at 1100 m.

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, a large (size 2) wind slab released naturally on an east aspect in the alpine. A small (size 1) wind slab avalanche was observed in a cross-loaded feature near ridgetop. 

A naturally triggered size 2 wind slab avalanche was reported on a steep cross-loaded alpine feature on Tuesday. Many small dry loose avalanches were observed as well. 

Snowpack Summary

10-30 cm new snow add to the 10-40 cm of recent snow, which overlies a hard melt-freeze crust. The previous snow surface was wind affected and in some wind-exposed areas the wind had scoured the snow down to the crust. 

Cornices are very large and exposure to them should be minimized, especially during warm or windy weather.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.