Avalanche Forecast
South Columbia
Be aware of snow conditions that change with elevation and from one aspect to another. Thin storm slabs may exist in the alpine while wet or moist snow may become a concern on sunny slopes, and at lower elevations.
Avalanche Problem 1: Loose Wet
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small avalanches may have severe consequences.
- Use extra caution on slopes if the snow is moist or wet.
Avalanche Summary
Friday there reports of natural cornices failures up to size 2 on north and northeast facing slopes in the alpine that had little effect on the slopes below, while explosive control produced only small (size 1) storm slabs on similar aspects.
Thursday there were reports of sloughs and small (size 1) loose, dry avalanches in steep terrain.
On Wednesday there were reports of both skier triggered and natural wind slab releases up to size 1.5, as well as a size 2 natural cornice failure all on on north aspects between 2000 - 2400 m.
Earlier in the week; a widespread natural avalanche cycle to size 3 was reported. These were primarily wet loose avalanches on sunny aspects.
Snowpack Summary
A light dusting of new snow (5-15 cm) covers a crust on all but high, north and east facing slopes that still have cold dry snow above a well-settled snowpack. Deeper persistent weak layers from January and December are generally considered dormant, but could wake up with a surface avalanche stepping down, cornice fall, or a human trigger in a shallow or variable-depth snowpack area. These layers consist of sun crust, surface hoar and/or facets.
Weather Forecast
SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy, light flurries. Accumulation trace. Ridge wind light, northwest. Alpine Temperature near -5. Freezing level 1500 m.
MONDAY: Mostly cloudy, light flurries. Accumulation up to 5 cm. Ridge wind light, southwest. Alpine temperature near -5. Freezing level 1500 m.
TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy, light flurries. Accumulation trace. Ridge wind light, southwest. Alpine temperature near -5. Freezing level 1500 m.
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Watch for areas of moist or wet snow especially on steep, sunny slopes and near rocky outcrops or gullies.