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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 10th, 2021–Mar 11th, 2021

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

Regions

Sea To Sky.

Wind slabs remain a concern at upper elevations. Watch for denser, deeper drifts near ridge-crests and rollovers.

Minimize your exposure to cornices and sun-exposed slopes during the heat of the day.

Confidence

Moderate - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT - Mainly clear / light to moderate northeast wind / alpine low temperature near -9 

THURSDAY - Mainly sunny / light west wind / alpine high temperature near -5 / freezing level 1400 m

FRIDAY - Cloudy with sunny breaks / light to moderate southwest wind / alpine high temperature near -1 / freezing level 1700 m

SATURDAY - Mainly sunny / moderate south wind / alpine high temperature near 0 / freezing level 2300 m

Avalanche Summary

There have been reports each day this week of a few natural and/or human-triggered wind slab and dry loose avalanches, ranging between size 1-2, as well as natural size 1 loose wet avalanches on solar aspects at lower elevations.

Explosive control on Saturday produced numerous large cornice and storm slab avalanches, with 50-100 cm crown depths. Explosives also released a very large (size 3) wind slab avalanche on a northeast aspect above 2000 m. 

Snowpack Summary

50-100 cm of snow from the past weekend has been redistributed by recent winds, forming wind slabs on leeward slopes that remain possible to trigger. Solar aspects likely have a crust on the surface. Massive cornices exist on ridgelines, which can act as triggers on slopes below.

The mid and lower snowpack is well settled and strong in most areas. A weak layer of facets buried in mid-February may still be found but has been gaining strength.

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
  • Be aware of highly variable recent wind loading patterns.
  • Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
  • Minimize your exposure time below cornices.
  • Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet

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.