Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 29th, 2019 5:08PM

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

shorton, Avalanche Canada

North Columbia.

Cooler cloudy weather is approaching, but the danger will still be moderate during the heat of the day.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy. Light southwest wind. Alpine temperatures drop to -5 C.SATURDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with cloud increasing over the day. Light west wind. Alpine high temperatures around 0 C with freezing level to 2000 m.SUNDAY: Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries and 2-5 cm of new snow at higher elevations. Light southwest wind. Alpine high temperatures around -2 C with freezing level to 1800 m.MONDAY: Clearing skies throughout the day. Light north wind. Alpine high temperatures around -2 C with freezing level to 1800 m.

Avalanche Summary

Over the past few days, loose wet avalanches (size 1-2) have been observed on sun-exposed south to west facing slopes and wind slabs (size 1-2) reported on north to east aspects. North to northeast aspects were the focal point for slab avalanches with wide fracture propagations attributed to a poor bond between the new snow and old crusts.

Snowpack Summary

New crusts are likely found on all surfaces except for shaded slopes above 1700 m. On Tuesday, 10 to 30 cm of snow (variable over the region and increasing with elevation) buried a crust in most areas above 1500 m.The snowpack below about 1500 m has been disappearing rapidly under the recent warm temperatures, sunshine, and rain. The chance of loose wet avalanches increases each day as these factors break down surface crusts and bring snow to its melting point.The remainder of the snowpack is generally strong. Exceptions may exist on north aspects above 2000 m, where a layer of faceted grains may still be preserved beneath 50 to 70 cm of hard wind-affected snow.

Problems

Loose Wet

A springtime regime of daily warm temperatures and sunshine will tend to destabilize surface snow each day, especially on steep, sunny slopes. Larger avalanches become possible during peak warming.

This problem may affect shaded aspects where air temperatures exceed 0 degrees.Start and finish early to reduce your exposure to avalanche terrain during the heat of the day.Avoid exposure to terrain traps, where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Lingering slabs from Tuesday's storm may remain reactive to human triggers. This problem is likely to become increasingly confined to steeper, wind loaded slopes at ridgecrest.

Be careful around wind loaded pockets near ridge crests and roll-overs.Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Mar 30th, 2019 2:00PM