Avalanche Advisory Archive 2016 – 2018

Date Issued:2017-03-20 07:35:56
Danger:3
Primary Trend:1
Primary Probability:3
Primary Likelihood:3
Primary Size:1
Primary Description:

With warming today up nd through the point of freezing from mid mountain down look to see wet loose avalanches forming in super steep areas. It wont take much snow falling off trees or rocks to get things moving...

Remember these small wet loose avalanches may also be what triggers the larger soft slabs in place. These slides could then be quite large.

Secondary Trend:1
Secondary Probability:6
Secondary Likelihood:2
Secondary Size:1
Secondary Description:

With warming today up nd through the point of freezing from mid mountain down look to see wet loose avalanches forming in super steep areas. It wont take much snow falling off trees or rocks to get things moving...

Remember these small wet loose avalanches may also be what triggers the larger soft slabs in place. These slides could then be quite large.

Discussion:

The National Weather Service Forecasts-

Today- Rain and snow. Snow accumulation to 2 inches. Highs around 39. Southeast wind 10 to 20 mph.

Tonight- Cloudy. Chance of rain and snow in the evening. Lows around 30. Southeast wind 10 mph in the evening becoming light and variable.

Tuesday- Mostly cloudy. Highs around 41. Northeast wind 10 mph.

We continue to see human triggered avalanches around the region... showing us we are very near a state of natural avalanche occurrences as well.

We have multiple weak layers remaining in the snowpack from the last 2 weeks of snow. These weak layers are quite deep in the snowpack at this time especially in windloaded areas.

Temperatures have warmed up quite a bit around the region in the last 24 hours. Eaglecrest is showing 27f at mid mountain and 26f on top. Mt Roberts is at 29f this morning. The forecast calls for warming through the day up to and possibly through the point of freezing in our mountain starting zones. This will increase danger levels.

Winds are fairly strong this morning. Both Eaglecrest and the tram are showing winds from 25-30. The snow in the mountains is still light and will easily be wind transported.

We have not see much new snow in the last few days. Yesterday we saw only 2cm of new snow. This wont add much to the instability...

With strong loading winds, and temperatures increasing through the point of freezing today natural avalanches are possible and human triggered avalanches are likely. Avalanche Danger is CONSIDERABLE today.

Today may be a good day to avoid the Flume trail as that slopes has not avalanched in several storms and the weak layer may be quite deep causing larger than average slides should they occur.

Use good judgement in the backcountry and do not expose yourself to extreme terrain or serious terrain traps. Terrain management is key. Lots of good places to play. Just be safe out there.

Tip:

Here is a link to one of the best resources I have seen for avalanche information and training...

http://www.meted.ucar.edu/afwa/avalanche/print.htm

Forecaster:Tom Mattice