Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 17th, 2020 8:05AM

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

Parks Canada jonas hoke, Parks Canada

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Glacier.

Another warm day in the forecast. Expect solar aspects to become more reactive during the heat of the day.

Summary

Weather Forecast

The warm ridge of high pressure from the Pacific persists. Temperatures will warm significantly through out the day again, valley bottom temps are currently -13 and the freezing level if forecast to climb as high as 1700m today. Clear skies and calm winds will cause solar aspects to heat up quickly.

Snowpack Summary

Strong diurnal temperature swings have built a crust on solar aspects that will break down with daytime warming. Open terrain at upper elevations is heavily wind effected from the strong NE winds Friday-Saturday. The Feb 22 PWL is down 90-130cm and consists of 3-7mm surface hoar on all aspects up to 2450m as well as a crust on solar aspects.

Avalanche Summary

Several small-large (up to size 2.5) loose snow avalanches occurred on solar aspects on Sunday.

A large (size 2.5) persistent slab avalanche occurred naturally overnight Saturday in the Observatory path (N aspect at Treeline in the Abbott winter prohibited area), this avalanche initiated as a windslab and stepped down to the Feb. 22nd PWL- see MIN.

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable

Problems

Loose Dry

An icon showing Loose Dry

The snow on solar slopes that was crusty in the morning, will loose cohesion as temperatures rise and become reactive in the afternoon.

  • Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
  • Use extra caution on slopes if the surface snow is moist.

Aspects: South, South West, West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

This layer has become mostly dormant, but skier triggering may still be possible in shallower snowpack areas.

  • Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack
  • Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 3.5

Valid until: Mar 18th, 2020 8:00AM

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