Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 15th, 2020 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs and Cornices.
Mikey,
Avalanche Canada
The sunny skies and warmer spring temperatures could start to weaken solar aspects and cornices. Best skiing can be found in sheltered areas.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
Sunny and warm for Monday with a daytime high of -1c in the alpine along with light NW winds. No snow is forecast.
Avalanche Summary
Two new avalanches size 2 on west aspects were observed off of Mt. Buller.
Snowpack Summary
The wind slabs (numerous generations) still dominate the landscape in the Alpine and open areas at Treeline. While becoming less sensitive to human triggering, be cautious in steep, convex and unsupported terrain. The mid-pack remains quite strong, and by contrast, the basal facets are still weak. The deep persistent slabs are more of a concern in shallow snowpack areas and rocky outcroppings.
Monday afternoon is suppose to be sunny and -1c in the alpine. Watch for moist snow on solar aspects as the heat can be intense.
This heat could also make the triggering of some features more sensitive. This sudden warming trend can sometimes be the temperature trigger for cornices. Keep your distance from large cornices.
Terrain and Travel
- Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind exposed terrain.
- Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
- Avoid shallow snowpack areas, rock outcroppings and steep convex terrain where triggering is most likely.
- Caution around slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs are still a concern in the Alpine and Treeline elevation bands. Multiple layers of wind slab may be found in wind prone areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
This layer is still out there, and is most concerning in shallow, rocky areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
The sudden rise in temperature and solar radiation can be the trigger for cornices. If large cornices release, they can trigger deeper instabilities.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 16th, 2020 4:00PM
