Avalanche Forecast
South Rockies
Several deeply buried weak layers are a major concern in this region and warrant conservative terrain choices. Stick to simple low-angle terrain and avoid overhead hazards like cornices.
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Be aware of the potential for wide propagations due to the presence of hard windslabs.
Avalanche Problem 2: Deep Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Several deeply buried weak layers have the potential to produce large destructive avalanches. Cornices have been a common trigger, so be sure to avoid exposure to overhead hazards.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.
- Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger the deep persistent slab.
- Watch for signs of instability such as whumpfing, or shooting cracks.
Avalanche Summary
On Wednesday, a few natural wind slabs (size 2) were reported north of Elkford, including some triggered by cornices. A large deep persistent slab with wide propagation was also reported in alpine terrain. On Tuesday, a few natural wind slabs (size 2) were reported in the southeast part of the region.
During the warm stormy weather on Sunday and Monday a few large deep persistent slab avalanches were reported (up to size 3), most of which were triggered by cornices on north and east facing slopes. Most large slab avalanches have failed on the deeper November and December weak layers.
Snowpack Summary
The most recent snowfall was accompanied with strong gusty winds, leaving touchy slabs in the alpine and large fragile cornices. Warm temperatures on Monday left moist snow and crusts up to about 1700 m.
About 20-50 cm of recent snow covers a weak layer that was buried in mid-January. It is composed of feathery surface hoar in sheltered areas and a sun crust on solar aspects. Another surface hoar layer from early-January is buried 30-60 cm deep. A widespread weak layer from mid-December is composed of facets, crusts, and surface hoar and is now buried 60-80 cm deep. Finally, a weak layer of rain crusts and sugary facets buried in late-November exists near the base of the snowpack.
Although the snowpack structure is variable across the region, these persistent weak layers are generally widespread. Snowpack depths are also variable across the region and typically thinner in northern areas than in areas to the south.
Weather Forecast
THURSDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries / moderate west wind / alpine temperatures around -10 C.
FRIDAY: Isolated flurries / moderate to strong west wind / alpine temperatures around -7 C.
SATURDAY: Moderate snowfall (amounts uncertain at this point) / strong northwest winds / alpine temperatures around -3 C.
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New snow and strong winds have created wind slabs in leeward areas near ridge crest in the alpine and in exposed treeline areas. Large fragile cornices are also likely near ridge crests.