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

Regions

Sea To Sky.

Recent storm snow has been redistributed into pockets of wind slab at tree line and in the alpine and may continue to be reactive. Watch for denser, deeper drifts near ridge-crests and rollovers.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength.

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY NIGHT - Cloudy with clear periods and isolated flurries / light to moderate west wind / alpine low temperature near -5 

WEDNESDAY - A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries / light to moderate northeast wind / alpine high temperature near -6 / freezing level 1200 m

THURSDAY - Mainly sunny / light west wind / alpine high temperature near -6 / freezing level 1300 m

FRIDAY - Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries / moderate southwest wind / alpine high temperature near -2 / freezing level 1400 m

Avalanche Summary

On Monday, there were a few explosive triggered size 2 cornices, and a few natural and human-triggered size 2 wind slab avalanches reported. 

On Sunday, small pockets of wind slab were reported releasing naturally and with ski cuts, primarily on northerly aspects near and above 1900 m. Small loose dry sluffs were also observed in steep terrain. 

Explosive control on Saturday produced numerous large cornice and storm slab avalanches, with 50-100 cm crown depths. Explosives also released a very large (size 3) wind slab avalanche on a northeast aspect above 2000 m. 

Reports indicate that a natural avalanche cycle occurred during the storm on Friday, with small to large (size 1-2.5) avalanches releasing in the storm snow across all aspects and elevations. 

Snowpack Summary

50-100 cm of snow fell over the weekend and has been settling rapidly. The recent snowfall was accompanied by strong south winds, forming wind slabs on leeward slopes that remain possible to trigger. Massive cornices exist on ridgelines, which can act as triggers on slopes below.

The mid and lower snowpack is well settled and strong in most areas. A weak layer of facets buried in mid-February may still be found but has been gaining strength.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
  • Minimize your exposure time below cornices.

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.