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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 12th, 2022–Feb 13th, 2022

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

Regions

Northwest Inland.

Avalanches are unlikely in areas where a hard surface crust is present.

Small wind slabs may be found on lee features in the alpine; carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs. 

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy / Light, northwest wind / Low of -7 / Freezing level surface.

SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy with flurries; 0-3 cm, with another 5-10 cm overnight / Light, southwest wind / High of -2 / Freezing level 700 m.

MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Moderate, northwest wind / High of -2 / Freezing level 800 m.

TUESDAY: Cloudy with flurries; 3-5 cm / Strong, northwest wind / High of -3 / Freezing level 500 m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported on Friday.

Snowpack Summary

5-10 cm of wind-pressed snow overlies a thick (10-15 cm) rain crust that extends to mountain-tops. This crust has created challenging travel conditions and a "slide-for-life" hazard on steep slopes.

Small wind slabs may be found on lee features in the alpine. 

The weak layers deeper in the snowpack are unlikely to human trigger in areas where a hard surface crust is present.

 However, cornices overhead are a primary concern during sunny, warm, or windy conditions. Cornice failures may trigger very large, persistent slab avalanches that would otherwise be difficult to human trigger.

Terrain and Travel

  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
  • A crust on the surface will help bind the snow together, but may make for tough travel conditions.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.
  • Cornice failures could trigger very large and destructive avalanches.

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.