Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 17th, 2020 5:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Loose Wet, Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
MBender,
Avalanche Canada
A ridge of high pressure has set in for the forecast period. Expect to see mainly sunny skies. Minimize exposure to steep slopes facing the sun during the hottest part of the day.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
TUESDAY Night: Mostly clear, light northwest wind, alpine temperature -8 C.
WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light northwest wind, alpine temperature -7 C, freezing level 1200 m.
THURSDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light to moderate west wind, alpine temperature -5 C, freezing level 1400 m.
FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light northwest wind, alpine temperature -4 C, freezing level 1500 m.
Avalanche Summary
Most recent avalanche activity has been reported as natural loose wet and dry avalanches to size 1.5 and 2 running on steep sun exposed slopes in the alpine. There have also been reports of cornices failing in the alpine on northerly aspects to size 2.5.
Snowpack Summary
Wind from the northeast over the weekend has redistributed snow and formed wind slabs at all elevations.
A weak layer of surface hoar buried at the end of February may be found 50-100 cm deep. Sheltered north, northeast, and east facing slopes near treeline are the most likely locations to find this layer. Reports indicate that this layer may be absent in the northern tip of the region.
There is a low likelihood of triggering an avalanche on this layer, but the consequences of doing so would be high. Read more about surface hoar on our forecaster blog.
Terrain and Travel
- If triggered loose wet avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of buried surface hoar.
- Cornices become weak with daytime heating.
Problems
Loose Wet
Expect loose dry or wet avalanches to run in steep terrain facing the sun during the heat of the day.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Recent moderate to strong wind blowing from a variety of directions has formed wind slabs on all aspects.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
A weak layer of surface hoar is buried 50-100 cm deep. Past observations indicate the problem is most likely to be found on north, northeast, and east aspects near treeline. This problem has been observed in all but the northern tip of the region, where there is uncertainty around the distribution of this layer.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 18th, 2020 5:00PM
