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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 10th, 2022–Apr 11th, 2022

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, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Northwest Inland.

Recent wind has varied in direction, so you'll need to carefully evaluate for wind slabs on all aspects. The appearance of the strong April sun may initiate a round of loose avalanche activity, avoid being on or under steep south facing slopes.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the extreme variability of wind effect on the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY NIGHT: Trace of snow possible, light northeast wind, freezing level at valley bottom.

MONDAY: Scattered cloud cover at dawn increasing to overcast after lunch, potential for up to 4 cm of snow above 1000 m in the afternoon, moderate southeast wind, freezing level beginning at valley bottom, rising to around 1000 m in the afternoon. 

TUESDAY: Scattered cloud cover, no significant precipitation expected, strong east wind, freezing level holding at valley bottom.

WEDNESDAY: Scattered cloud cover, no significant precipitation expected, moderate east wind, freezing level holding near valley bottom.

Avalanche Summary

Reported avalanche activity on Saturday was limited to loose dry avalanches to size 1.5 in steep rocky terrain.

On Friday we received some observations of an avalanche cycle that occurred during the storm which produced avalanches up to size 3. 

Snowpack Summary

10 to 50 cm of recent snow has been formed into wind slabs by wind, first from the south/southwest, and more recently from the northeast. Below this snow, a hard melt-freeze crust is found. (In some of the snowier places in the region, you may find as much as 80 cm over the crust.) 

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

Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
  • Brief periods of sun could quickly initiate natural avalanche activity.

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.

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.