Avalanche Advisory Archive 2016 – 2018

Date Issued:2017-03-02 07:21:23
Danger:4
Primary Trend:3
Primary Probability:3
Primary Likelihood:4
Primary Size:2
Primary Description:

With 20+cm of new snow over the last 36 hours that is of very low density and winds from 15-40mph windslabs are building fast. Windslabs were seen releasing naturally yesterday and danger levels are continuing to rise. Anything that has not slid is probably fairly unstable and even areas that have slid may be reloading with these conditions.

Danger is present and building... Beware.

Secondary Trend:3
Secondary Probability:1
Secondary Likelihood:4
Secondary Size:2
Secondary Description:

Yesterday loose dry avalanches could be observed around the region as this super dry snow continues to sluff off steep pitches. These can start to become quite sizable as the storm slab continues to grow. We now have more than 20cm of snow in places and this has the ability to entrain a great deal of snow. These will be moving quite fast and gathering mass... Recognize danger exists on most aspects today with all this light dry snow and the buried facet layer in place.

Discussion:

The National Weather Service Forecasts-

Today- Widespread snow showers. Snow accumulation 2 to 6 inches. Highs around 32. Northeast wind 10 to 20 mph shifting to the southeast early in the afternoon. Gusts to 40 mph in the morning.

Tonight- Widespread snow showers. Snow accumulation 1 to 3 inches. Lows around 19. Southeast wind 10 to 20 mph shifting to the northeast 15 to 25 mph late.

Friday- Numerous snow showers. Snow accumulation to 1 inch. highs around 26. Northeast wind 25 mph with gusts to around 40 mph.

We have received 2-4 inches of new snow overnight of VERY DRY light snow. This is on top of the 4-6\" we received yesterday also of VERY DRY... light snow. The storm total is sitting at 20cm currently. Yet having been in the hills last night it is much deeper in places in the backcountry.

This light snow is now being drifted by notable winds. Currently Mt Roberts is showing 25-40mph winds from the north directly loading our urban paths. Eaglecrest is slightly less at 15 to 20 but still more than enough to create significant loading.

Yesterday snow study results showed multiple weak layers and very poor stability. We have a near surface facet layer that is triggering quite easily under this new snow.

Natural avalanches were sighted in many placed from Douglas Island to the Mainland.

With increased snows overnight and increased winds on a snowpack that was already producing natural avalanches, avalanche danger is HIGH today.

Natural avalanches are likely and human triggered avalanches are more than likely.

Choose your terrain wisely these will be sizable slides running far and fast in windloaded areas.

Please aviod the closed areas beyond the gates above the Berhands Neighborhood. Please also avoid the Flume trail today. I would not be suprised to see dry very fast avalanches coming down them

Tip:

Today is a good day to pull in the reigns a bit and be conservative. Ski with a partner. Eyes On from safe spot to safe spot. Remember Avalanche Transceiver, Probe, and Shovel. Dont leave home without them.

Forecaster:Tom Mattice