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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 4th, 2025–Apr 5th, 2025

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

Regions

Glacier.

Spring-time brings a wide array of conditions, from bullet-proof crusts in the valley bottom, horrible travel in tight trees, and glorious powder on N-facing alpine slopes.

Expect conditions to change rapidly as the sun strikes the mountains. Get an early start and finish early!!

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday a party triggered a size 1.5 slab on a steep line on the North face of Cheops. One person was involved and lost equipment.

A field team was able to ski cut a sz 1.5 wind slab from an alpine lee feature on Christiana Ridge Wednesday.

The March 27th crust has added bridging strength to the snowpack but expect things to fall apart quickly when that crust breaks down in the heat.

Snowpack Summary

10-20cm of dry powder exists on northerly aspects in the alpine. Solar aspects have a surface crust of varying thickness.

Below this surface snow, a 10-25cm thick crust of variable strength from last week's rain event is present. Test results have varied on this crust, from no result to moderate failures.

Below 2300m, up to 50cm of moist snow can be found under this crust.

Weather Summary

High pressure will bring clearing and rising temps for the weekend.

Tonight Clear, nil precip. Alp high -3°C. Ridge wind SW 10-km/h. Freezing Level (FZL) 1300m

Sat Mix of Sun and cloud. Alp high: 0°C. Light SW ridge wind. FZL 2200m.

Sun Mix of sun/cloud. Precip: nil. Alp high 4°. Wind South 10-30 km/h. FZL 2700m.

Mon Flurries. Snow: 7cm. Alp high 2°C. Wind SW 15-30. FZL 2000m.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid freshly wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crests, rollovers, and in steep terrain.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.