Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 29th, 2019 8:00AM

The alpine rating is below threshold, the treeline rating is below threshold, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Loose Wet and Wind Slabs.

danyelle magnan, Parks Canada

Glacier.

Spring conditions mean it's all about timing! Start and finish early to avoid slopes once the crusts break down.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Plenty of sun today, with freezing levels rising to 1800m and light east winds. A mix of sun and cloud Fri/Sat with freezing levels rising to 2000m and light winds. Flurries are forecasted for Sunday, bringing 5-10cm of snow and light winds.

Snowpack Summary

We're into the spring melt freeze cycle. At valley bottom the crust this morning was 7cm thick and overlies an isothermal snowpack in most areas. Surface crusts have been breaking down by mid-afternoon on solar aspects steeper than 25 degrees. Dry snow can still be found on N'ly aspects above treeline, and thin soft wind slabs exist on lee slopes.

Avalanche Summary

Loose avalanches up to sz 2 during the heat of the day. A notable avalanche was a glide crack release on the Mounds path earlier this week, and the glide crack on Teddy Bear Trees is opening up with the continued warmth.

Confidence

Problems

Loose Wet

Surface melt-freeze crusts cap weak isothermal snow and the crust has been breaking down by mid afternoon on solar aspects. Use caution on steep slopes when crusts start to weaken, there is very little holding it together once the crust breaks down.

Use extra caution on solar slopes or if the snow is moist or wet.Avoid terrain traps, such as gullies, where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Wind Slabs

Thin soft slabs were formed with the new snow and moderate SW winds Tuesday. These are found in the immediate lee features at tree-line and above, and are most reactive where they sit on an underlying crust.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.Recent snow may be more sensitive to human triggering on solar aspects where it sits on sun crust

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 30th, 2019 8:00AM