Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 11th, 2021 3:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada Mikey, Avalanche Canada

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The day will start out with a Moderate hazard and deteriorate to Considerable on solar aspects with the sun and heat. Start your trip early and finish early.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Some warm sunny weather coming for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 

Friday: High temp of -1c with 50km/hr winds from the West. Freezing level will go up to 2150m.

Saturday and Sunday: High temp of +4c with 20-40km/hr winds from the SW. Freezing level will rise to 2250m.

Avalanche Summary

One size 2 slab was noticed in the Goat range on an East aspect at around 2400m. It appears to have happened in the last 48hrs.

Several small cornice chunks had released in Tent Bowl and most likely happened in the last 48 hrs as well. This caused several size 1 loose avalanches. Cornice releases are mostly likely to occur with the warmer and sunnier weather.

Snowpack Summary

It is sure feeling Springlike out there but there is still a few things happening in the snowpack. On solar aspects, expect to find a crust in the early morning hours and then turn to moist snow later on. The sun has a lot of punch now so choose your route carefully in terms of overhead hazards like cornices and wet loose avalanches on southern aspects. The hazard is likely to go up during the day with the sun and moist snow. In other words, the day would start at Moderate and quickly change to Considerable with warming and solar radiation.

The forecasters found that there is still variability in the top 60cm of the snowpack. We mostly found several buried wind slabs down 15cm and 40cm overlying less dense layers. Good skiing and dry snow will still be found on North and NE aspects.

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet
  • Cornices become weak with daytime heating.
  • Avoid rock outcroppings, convexities, and anywhere the snowpack is thin and/or variable.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Intense solar radiation at this time of year can quickly elevate avalanche activity on solar aspects. Time your exposure to these slopes to avoid the heat of the day. 

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Wind slabs (recently buried) exist in the upper snowpack that feel drummy and cakey in some areas. Be aware of the potential for wide propagations. Take the time to dig down and evaluate the interfaces in each specific terrain feature.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices

This weekend will be the warmest we have seen this Spring. This is a good time to respect those monstrous cornices.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Valid until: Mar 12th, 2021 3:00PM