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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 8th, 2021–Feb 9th, 2021

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

South Rockies.

Be cautious of wind loaded terrain. And bring your extra puffy - it's cold.

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

MONDAY NIGHT - Cold and mostly clear / alpine low temperature near -32 / light northwest wind

TUESDAY - Cold and sunny / alpine high temperature near -20 / light northwest wind

WEDNESDAY - Cold with a mix sun and more cloud / alpine high temperature near -24 / light to moderate northwest wind

THURSDAY - Extreme cold, a mix of sun and cloud / moderate and increasing northeast wind / alpine high temperature near -28

Avalanche Summary

Dry loose avalanches were observed over the weekend with a few triggering small (size 1) slab avalanches.

On Friday there was a report of a size 2 explosives triggered wind slab avalanche, as well as a few size 1 human triggered dry loose avalanches. There was also a report of several natural avalanches, potentially up to size 3, a MIN report outlining these can be found here.

On Wednesday, numerous loose-dry natural avalanches were reported up to size 1. 

Snowpack Summary

20-40 cm loose snow overlies wind affected snow at upper elevations and exposed terrain, softer snow in sheltered areas, and a crust on steep, solar slopes and elevations below 1900 m. Fresh snow has been redistributed by variable winds building slabs in lee features.

A solid mid-pack sits above deeply buried decomposing crust and facet layers near the bottom of the snowpack (80-150 cm deep). Though unreactive under the current conditions, steep rocky slopes and shallow snowpacks should still be approached with caution.

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
  • Avoid terrain traps where the consequence of any avalanche could be serious.
  • Be carefull with sluffing in steep terrain, especially above cliffs and terrain traps.
  • 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.