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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 3rd, 2020–Mar 4th, 2020

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

Regions

North Columbia.

It's spicy out there right now. Between fresh wind slabs and a touchy persistent weak layer, human triggered avalanches are likely. Keep in mind it's not always the first rider who triggers the slab.

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain. Uncertainty is due to how buried persistent weak layers will react with the forecast incoming weather.

Weather Forecast

Tuesday night: 5-15 cm new snow. Strong southwest wind. Freezing level dropping to 500 m.

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries. Moderate northwest wind. Freezing level 500-1000 m.

Thursday: 5-10 cm new snow. Moderate southwest wind, strong at ridgetop. Freezing level 1500 m.

Friday: 10-20 cm new snow. Light southwest wind. Freezing level 1300 m.

Avalanche Summary

Since the weekend, we have seen a surge in persistent slab avalanche activity on the February 22 surface hoar layer. Numerous skier/sled triggered and remote triggered size 1-2.5 were reported by operators across the region even as professionals seek to actively avoid suspect terrain features. In a few instances, slopes were ski cut with no results, only to have the third or fourth skier in the group accidentally trigger the slab. Observations are from all aspects and elevations, but especially concentrated on north to east aspects around treeline.

Natural size 2-4 persistent slabs have also been observed, suspect triggers include sun, wind loading, cornice falls and tree bombs. Explosive control work Sunday and Monday produced results in the 2-2.5 range.

Snowpack Summary

Light snowfall and strong winds are building fresh wind slabs in the alpine and open areas at treeline.

A weak layer of widespread surface hoar sits 40-70 cm deep. It may sit over a crust on solar aspects. The overlying snow has been cohered into slabs by incremental loading through successive storms, wind and mild temperatures. As slab character and depth increase, so do reactivity and size of avalanches failing on the weak layer. Read more about surface hoar on our forecaster blog!

The early February melt-freeze crust down 80-120 cm has not been associated with avalanche activity but is still active in snowpack tests.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of buried surface hoar.
  • Surface hoar distribution is highly variable. Avoid generalizing your observations.
  • Even brief periods of direct sun could produce natural avalanches.
  • In times of uncertainty conservative terrain choices are our best defense.

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.