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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 8th, 2023–Mar 9th, 2023

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

Regions

Glacier.

Spring sun is having an effect on the snowpack.

Watch for loose avalanches from steep, rocky terrain when the solar radiation is strong in the afternoon.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Isolated natural avalanches observed Wednesday along the highway corridor up to size 2.0 from the steep terrain off Mt. Macdonald.

Several solar-triggered avalanches were observed Tuesday from S faces (Lone Pine, Mounds, Lens, Tupper Minor paths), from sz 1.5-2.5.

Snowpack Summary

Diurnal temperature fluctuations has produced crust on solar aspects, which break down during the warmest part of the day. Isolated wind slabs in the alpine.

40-60cm of settled snow overlies a layer of decomposing stellars (large new snow crystals), a crust on solar aspects, or a thin layer of facets.

Although generally strong, the snowpack still sits upon a deep persistent weakness of rounding facets and a decomposed crust near the ground.

Weather Summary

Prime spring-like weather continues Thursday, with an upper low arriving Friday bring snowfall.

Thurs: Sun/Cloud + flurries, Alp High -8, Light E winds, Fz lvl: 1100m

Fri: Flurries, Alp High -7, Light winds, Fz Lvl: 1000m

Sat: Flurries, Alp High -8, Light winds, Fz lvl: 800 m

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Cornices become weak with daytime heating or solar exposure.
  • 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.