Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 11th, 2021 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Loose Wet.

Snow Safety,

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Friday should start with a good freeze but hazard will increase as the day warms up. Our danger ratings are for the highest level we expect to see over the course of the day, but these van vary wildly this time of year.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Continued nice weather on Friday. We should see a decent overnight freeze with 3000m temperatures reaching -5 and valley bottoms up to +5. Winds will be moderate to strong at 3000m and light at treeline. A significant warmup with high solar input is expected Saturday and Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

10-20cm recent snow, lies over firm surface crust on south aspects up to at least 2600 m with softer snow found on north aspects. Minimal recent wind effect at higher elevations except in exposed ridge crests Profile at 2400m on Mt. Ogden found facets down 65cm with no results on column test. Cornices are huge!

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported today. Large sluffing in the alpine was occurring from a brief intense squall Wednesday, and a cornice fall resulted in a size 2.5 avalanche on the cliffs above the approach to Mt. Ogden., occurring in the past couple of days.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

The next few days will see an increase in freezing levels and solar input, peaking on the weekend. We should see a good freeze Friday AM but watch afternoon solar effect as conditions can deteriorate quickly. 

  • Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
  • Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.

Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 12th, 2021 4:00PM