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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 28th, 2022–Mar 29th, 2022

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

South Columbia.

Start and finish your day early. Warm temperature and sunshine may destabilize the snowpack throughout the day, especially on steep slopes that are baking in the sun.

The best and safest riding will be in high north-facing terrain that is free from cornices overhead.

Confidence

Moderate - A small change in the upper snowpack could dramatically change avalanche conditions.

Weather Forecast

MONDAY NIGHT: Clearing. Freezing level dropping to 500-1000 m. 10-30km/h west winds.

TUESDAY: Mainly clear. Freezing level rising to 2000-2500 m in the afternoon. Light variable winds. 

WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, 5-10 cm of accumulation. Freezing level around 1500 m. 20-40 km/h west winds. 

THURSDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, trace accumulation. Freezing level around 1500 m. 20-50 km/h west winds. 

Avalanche Summary

Several wet loose and wet slab avalanches were observed at all aspects and elevations on Sunday (size 1-2.5).

Several small (size 1-1.5) skier-triggered wind slabs occurred on Saturday.

The last persistent slab avalanches observed in the region were during the warm-up on March 23rd and 24th. Several large (size 2-3) persistent slab avalanches occurred on all aspects from 2100-2300 m. This layer is expected to become dormant after being tested by significant warming followed by cooling temperatures. 

Snowpack Summary

5 to 15 cm of recent snow and southwest winds may have formed small wind slabs in lee terrain features in the high alpine. A refrozen crust can be found below the new snow on all aspects to at least 2500m. This crust is expected to break down throughout the day on solar aspects and at low elevations with sun and warm temperatures. Below the crust, the top 10-30 cm of the snowpack is moist.

Several other layers exist in the upper snowpack, that have shown no recent reactivity.

Terrain and Travel

  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
  • Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.

Problems

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.

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.