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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 2nd, 2022–Apr 3rd, 2022

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

Regions

Northwest Inland.

Strong winds overnight will quickly impact any loose snow. Watch out for reactive wind slabs around ridges and lee terrain.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

Saturday night: Cloudy with flurries, trace to 10 cm of new snow. Moderate to strong south winds gusting to extreme. Overnight low -8 C.

Sunday: Unsettled with flurries and sunny breaks, 5 cm through the day. Extreme overnight winds decreasing to moderate southwesterlies. Ridgetop high -3 C.

Monday: Flurries and unsettled, trace to 0 cm. Moderate to light southeasterly wind. Ridgetop high reaching 3 C.

Tuesday: Cloudy with isolated flurries and sunny breaks, trace to 5 cm. Moderate westerly wind. Ridgetop high -6 C.

Avalanche Summary

A couple of small (size 1) wind slabs were reactive to skiers on Thursday, about 15 cm deep on a north aspect. Otherwise, there have been no recent avalanche observations since earlier in the week when natural cornice falls were observed throughout the region.

Snowpack Summary

Wind continues to redistribute any loose snow into pressed surfaces and build windslabs at treeline and higher. Below recent snow, a crust can be found on all aspects and elevations except high north terrain where cold snow prevailed through recent warm temperatures. Large overhanging cornices have also been observed in the region recently which may remain sensitive.

A couple of layers of weak crystals in the upper snowpack appear to be bonding well according to recent observations and snowpack tests. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
  • 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.

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.