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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 3rd, 2021–Apr 4th, 2021

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

Regions

Lizard-Flathead.

Convective flurries on Sunday and southwesterly winds may form small wind slabs sitting on slippery crusts below alpine ridgetops. Use caution when transitioning into wind affected terrain.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

  

SATURDAY NIGHT: Clear skies / Moderate, southwest ridgetop wind / alpine low temperature -5 / Freezing level 2000 m.

SUNDAY: Snow flurries/rain; 5-15 cm. / Moderate, southwest ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature 2 / Freezing level 1700 m.

MONDAY: Sunny / Light, southeast ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature 6 / Freezing level 2200 m.

TUESDAY: Sunny / Light, west ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature 8 / Freezing level 2500 m.

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, naturally triggered wet loose avalanches up to size 1.5 were reported on steep solar aspects in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

Convective flurries on Sunday and southwesterly winds may form small wind slabs sitting on slippery crusts on lee features below alpine ridgetops. Crusty surfaces exist on all but north facing terrain at upper elevations.

Cornices are large, looming, and capable of triggering large avalanches when they fail.

The mid-pack is firm and well settled. Some faceted snow and a decomposing melt-freeze crust can be found near the base of the snowpack. 

 Glide cracks releasing as full depth glide slab avalanches become more common in the spring and are extremely difficult to predict. Best practice is to avoid slopes with glide cracks.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
  • Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.

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.

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.