Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 18th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Loose Wet, Persistent Slabs and Cornices.
Deryl Kelly,
Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated solar features.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Tonight: Flurries. Light SW winds.
Friday: Cloudy with sun, isolated flurries. Alpine temperature: High -5 °C. Ridge wind SW: 20 km/h gusting to 50 km/h. Freezing level: 1600 m.
Saturday: Flurries. Accumulation: 6 cm. Alpine temperature: Low -13 °C, High -7 °C. Ridge wind southwest: 20 km/h gusting to 55 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.
Snowpack Summary
Warm temps and high solar input has created typical spring like conditions with moist snow on solar aspects from daytime heating, TL and below. Continuing SW winds have redistributed the snow pack, forming hard slabs in the ALP. The mid pack is supportive in deep areas, but shallow snowpack areas are weak and will break down fast with temp swings.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche activity observed or reported
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain
Problems
Loose Wet
Varied sensitivity on solar aspects, likelihood increases on the steepest slopes. It may be possible to trigger deeper instabilities once initiated.
- Use extra caution on solar slopes or if the snow is moist or wet.
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
More activity noted at this layer, mostly initiated by large loads (cornices) in steep terrain.
- Watch for moist surface snow over crust on steeper solar aspects.
- Consider that avalanches may run further than expected as they entrain this loose surface snow.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Cornices can be extremely destructive alone or, may initiate deeper layers in the snowpack below.
- Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger persistent slabs.
- Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 19th, 2021 4:00PM
