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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 13th, 2021–Mar 14th, 2021

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

Regions

Northwest Inland.

The ongoing storm will bring another 10 to 20 cm overnight and isolated flurries during the day. The snowpack will need time to stabilize. A good day to make conservative terrain choices and minimize overhead hazard!

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength.

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: Cloudy, 10 to 20 cm new snow, 60 km/h southwest wind, alpine low -12 C, freezing level lowering to valley bottom.

SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy, trace of new snow, 40 km/h westerly wind, alpine high -11 C.

MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, trace of new snow, 30 km/h southwest wind, alpine high -5 C.

TUESDAY: Mostly sunny, up to 5 cm new snow, 30 km/h southwest wind, alpine high 0 C, freezing level rising to 1000 m.

Avalanche Summary

Several small natural wet loose avalanches of size 1 and a few small skier triggered wind slab avalanches (size 1) were reported on Friday.

Snowpack Summary

The ongoing storm brought up to 50 cm snow combined with strong to extreme southwest wind and more snow is in the forecast for tonight. The new snow may overly widespread wind affect at alpine elevations, feathery surface hoar on northerly aspects and in sheltered terrain features around treeline, or a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects and below treeline.

There are presently no widespread deeper concerns. However, faceted snow at the base of the snowpack exists in much of the region and always has the potential of being triggered in shallow, rocky slopes.

Terrain and Travel

  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.
  • Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.