Avalog Join
Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 26th, 2019–Mar 27th, 2019
Alpine
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Lizard-Flathead.

The avalanche danger is currently trending with the appearance of the sun and afternoon warming. The danger is rated for the warmest part of the day.

Confidence

High - The weather pattern is stable

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY Night: Mainly cloudy  / light west wind  / alpine temperature -4 C / freezing level 1000 m WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / moderate east wind / alpine temperature -2 C / freezing level 1600 mTHURSDAY: Mix of sun and cloud  / light east wind  / alpine temperature -2 C / freezing level 1600 mFRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / light north wind / alpine temperature -1 C / freezing level 1900 m

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday, there was a report near Fernie of a skier triggered, size 2.5 wet slab avalanche that began as a loose wet avalanche and then gathered mass which ran much further than expected through low angle terrain.

Snowpack Summary

The prolonged warm spell has transitioned sun exposed slopes in the alpine and all aspects at treeline and below towards being moist or wet throughout. In these areas that have entered spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day. Check out this guide to managing avalanche hazard during spring conditions HERE.In areas that remained more sheltered from the heat, like northerly aspects in the alpine, there may still be a dry snowpack with a well settled slab sitting on weak facets (sugary snow). Human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible; especially in rocky alpine terrain with a shallow or highly variable depth snowpack.

Avalanche Problems

Loose Wet

This problem is more likely at lower elevations where there was a weak or no overnight re-freeze.
Avoid terrain traps such as cliffs and gullies that increase the consequence of small avalanches.Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if the snow is moist or wet.Cornices become weak with daytime heating, travel early on exposed slopes.

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

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5