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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 22nd, 2022–Mar 23rd, 2022

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

Regions

South Coast Inland.

Elevated freezing levels mean that wet loose avalanches and natural cornice falls are likely to continue.

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Tuesday night: A trace of new snow expected at higher elevations. Freezing level around 1900 m. Strong southerly winds.

Wednesday: Cloudy with around 10 cm of snow expected at higher elevations. Freezing levels around 2000 m. Moderate to strong southwest winds .

Thursday: A mix of sun and cloud with the possibility of light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Light variable winds and freezing levels around 1700 m.

Friday: A mix of sun and cloud with the possibility of light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Light to moderate southwest winds and freezing levels around 1600 m.

Avalanche Summary

On Monday natural and human triggered wind slab avalanches up to size two were observed throughout the region. These avalanches were on northerly aspects and in the alpine. Wet loose avalanches to size 1.5 were also observed in steep terrain, we suspect more of this type of avalanche activity will be reported on Tuesday.

Snowpack Summary

Wind slabs can be found on north and east aspects in the alpine. Moist snow will likely be observed on all aspects and elevations. As the freezing level falls a crust is likely to form . Multiple crusts exist on solar aspects.

a melt-freeze crust from mid March exists down 30 to 60 cm on all aspects below 1500 m.  

Terrain and Travel

  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.

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.

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.