Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 31st, 2019–Apr 1st, 2019

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 unlikely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

North Columbia.

Dry snow can be found on north-facing alpine slopes, but this is where triggering slab avalanches may still be possible.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with clear periods, light north wind, alpine temperatures drop to -3 C.MONDAY: A few clouds in the morning and then sunny in the afternoon, light north wind, freezing level to 1800 m.TUESDAY: Sunny, light wind, freezing level to 1800 m.WEDNESDAY: Increasing cloud with flurries starting in the evening, light south wind, freezing level to 1800 m.

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, a few large (size 2-3) skier triggered slab avalanches were reported on north-facing slopes above 2300 m. Some other smaller slabs have been reported in the same type of terrain over the past few days, highlighting the fact winter-like conditions can still be found in shaded alpine terrain. Small loose wet avalanches remain possible on sun-exposed slopes.

Snowpack Summary

Most slopes have entered a daily melt-freeze cycle, with the exception of north-facing terrain above roughly 2000 m. On these colder slopes, you may find 10-30 cm of dry powder or isolated wind slabs. These same slopes may also have a layer of faceted grains buried 50 to 70 cm below the surface. This layer has been responsible for a few large isolated avalanches over the past few days. Elsewhere, the surface has been melting each day and then freezing into a hard crust overnight. Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.

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.