Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 26th, 2019 8:05AM

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

Parks Canada Kate Ryan, Parks Canada

Email
Expect thin soft slabs in immediate lee alpine areas with today's snowfall.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Flurries with an accumulation of 8-15 cm today, accompanied by moderate winds from the SW. Freezing levels are forecast at 1600 m with an alpine high of -4C. The rest of the week looks like a mix of sun and cloud, no more precipitation, and freezing levels around 1800 m.

Snowpack Summary

Temperatures have dipped below 0 at treeline and above for the first time in a week. Expect to find a variable crust in the morning, which may break down into moist snow by the afternoon. Isothermal conditions exist below tree line. Cool dry snow exists on high Northerly aspects.

Avalanche Summary

The natural spring avalanche cycle has continued for over a week now, and produced numerous wet loose avalanches yesterday to sz 3 on primarily north aspects in the alpine and at treeline. Explosives control missions last week produced numerous avalanches on all aspects. A notable recent avalanche was a glide crack release in Mounds path. on Sunday

Confidence

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet
New snow today will likely become moist at treeline and below.
Avoid terrain traps, such as gullies, where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.If triggered the loose wet sluffs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs
On north aspects in the alpine a 40cm soft slab remains, and has bonded poorly to the underlying facets.
Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could trigger the persistent slab.

Aspects: North, North East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Valid until: Mar 27th, 2019 8:00AM