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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 8th, 2024–Apr 30th, 2024

Alpine
Below Threshold.
Treeline
Below Threshold.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Below Threshold.
Treeline
Below Threshold.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Below Threshold.
Treeline
Below Threshold.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.

Regions

Ghost.

Lower elevations have transitioned to Spring-like conditions. However, at higher elevations a Winter snowpack persists. Recent wind and snow have created wind slabs in lee and cross-loaded features. Also, during periods of intense solar and daytime heating the deep persistent weak layer could become active.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

Field observations from the Ghost are limited so please post what you are seeing on the MIN

Snowpack Summary

At treeline and above a winter snowpack slowly becomes more sping-like. Recent upslope storms have deposited up to 40cm of new snow in alpine areas that has been redistributed by variable moderate winds. Think about the aspect you are on/under and the time of they day you are in these areas. A cakey, drummy feeling is a good indication of new wind slabs forming and being reactive to light loads such as a climber.

Weather Summary

The weather is becoming more consistently "Spring" like with warm day time temperatures and cool mornings. Occasional snow storms will cross the region creating elevated hazards at they pass. Other weather elements that will increase the hazard are rain and or intense sun. Many areas at lower elevations have lost there snow cover but treeline and above is still fairly winter like.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • The more the snowpack warms-up and weakens, the more conservative you`ll want to be with your terrain selection.

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.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.