Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 29th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Wet.
zryan,
Avalanche Canada
Fresh wind slabs are expected to form throughout the day. These slabs will be most reactive where they overlie a slick crust.
Loose wet avalanches are possible at lower elevations if the surface remains wet and unconsolidated.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength.
Weather Forecast
TUESDAY NIGHT: Increasing cloud cover. 20-40 km/h southwest winds. Freezing level dropping to 1000 m.
WEDNESDAY: Snowing, 5-10 cm of accumulation. 25-40 km/h southwest winds. Freezing level around 1500 m.
THURSDAY: Cloudy with light snowfall. 15-40 km/h west winds. Freezing level around 1400 m.
FRIDAY: Cloudy with light flurries. 20-40 km/h southwest winds. Freezing level around 1500 m.
Avalanche Summary
A widespread wet loose/slab natural avalanche cycle up to size 3 occurred on Monday on all aspects and elevations. The most activity occurred below treeline. Similar activity is not expected on Wednesday with cooling temperatures and cloud cover.
On Monday, a size 1.5 skier-triggered wind slab occurred on south aspect in the alpine. This wind slab failed on a slick crust below the new snow.Â
The last persistent slab avalanches in the region were on March 24th and 25th. One was a large (size 3) natural avalanche that was observed at 2000 m on an east aspect. The other two both occurred on south-facing alpine slopes. One was a large (size 2.5) natural avalanche and the other was a small (size 1.5) slab remotely triggered by riders. This layer is expected to become dormant after being tested by significant warming followed by cooling temperatures.Â
Snowpack Summary
5-15 cm of new snow overlies up to 20 cm of heavier snow above 2000 m. Southwest winds may form small wind slabs in lee terrain features. Below 2400 m, a refrozen crust can be found. This crust is expected to break down throughout the day at low elevations with rain and warm temperatures. Below the crust, the top 10-30 cm of the snowpack is moist.Â
Several other crust layers exist in the upper snowpack, that have shown no recent reactivity. The remainder of the snowpack is well-bonded.
Terrain and Travel
- When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
- As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs may exist in steep, lee terrain features in the alpine. These wind slabs will be most reactive where they overlie a slick crust.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
A poor overnight crust recovery followed by above freezing temperatures and rain at lower elevations may cause wet loose avalanches out of steep terrain. Watch for wet and heavy surface conditions.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 30th, 2022 4:00PM
