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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 15th, 2025–Mar 18th, 2025

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

Regions

Long Range Mountains, Corner Brook, Gros Morne, Northern Peninsula.

Use caution on north and east aspects in the alpine where new wind slabs could be found

Warming and rain on Monday and Tuesday will likely trigger a natural avalanche cycle

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

One size 2, natural, wind slab avalanche was reported on Saturday in the Trout River Bowl. Check out the MIN for more details.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack is highly variable; on exposed west aspects very little snow remains, on exposed north and east aspects new wind slabs could be found. These wind slabs will overlie a firm and supportive crust.

In sheltered terrain  at 500 m the snowpack is 100 to 130 cm deep. The mid and lower snowpack is strong and bonded.

Check out this MIN from the Tablelands for more info.

On Monday freezing levels will likely spike far above the hills. The snow surface will become wet on all aspects and elevations. Significant snowpack loss could occur.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Cloudy with 0 to 4 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -13 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy with 1 to 4 cm of snow. 10 too 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.

Monday

Cloudy with 5 to 15 mm of rain. 50 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 8 °C.

Tuesday

Cloudy with up to 20 mm of mixed precipitation. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind in the morning and 20 to 40 km/h north ridgetop wind in the afternoon. Freezing level falling throughout the day, likely to sea level by late afternoon.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been affected by wind.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
  • Use extra caution for areas that are experiencing rapidly warming temperatures for the first time.
  • The first few hours of rain will likely be the most dangerous period.

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.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.