Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 26th, 2021–Mar 27th, 2021

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Purcells.

Watch for wind slabs and cornices in steep alpine terrain, and be careful on sunny slopes when the surface is moist or wet.

Confidence

High - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy, 40 km/h northwest wind, treeline temperatures around -4 C.

SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, 30-50 km/h southwest wind, freezing level climbing to at least 1800 m, treeline temperatures around -2 C.

SUNDAY: Scattered flurries with 5-15 cm of snow, 40-50 km/h southwest wind, freezing level climbing to 1800 m, treeline temperatures around -2 C.

MONDAY: Another 5-10 cm of snow by the morning then cloudy with isolated flurries during the day, 20 km/h northwest wind, treeline temperatures drop to -8 C.

Avalanche Summary

Recent avalanche activity has been limited to small (size 1-1.5) wind slab avalanches, dry loose sluffs, and cornice falls. These have occurred on a range of aspects, and will continue to be possible on wind-loaded or sun-exposed slopes.

Snowpack Summary

The surface consists of 10-20 cm of dry snow on shady sheltered slopes and moist and crusty surfaces on sun exposed slopes. Gusty westerly winds have formed some isolated wind slabs in lee features. A widespread crust layer from the mid-March warm spell can be found 20-40 cm deep, and small surface hoar has been observed at this depth on some isolated north-facing slopes. Reports suggest the snow is generally well bonded to these layers. Deeper layers are strong and have been unreactive over the past few weeks.

Terrain and Travel

Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect and exposure to wind.
Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
Minimize your exposure time below cornices.
Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Steady wind from the southwest and northwest has left some unstable slabs on steep alpine slopes.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5

Cornices

Where cornices exist they pose a threat both from the potential to collapse under your feet (or machine) and from the potential to send large chunks of snow far down a slope.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Unlikely

Expected Size: 2 - 2.5