Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 24th, 2020 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada mkoppang, Avalanche Canada

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Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Mix of sun and cloud on Wednesday with light flurries. Winds will be light to moderate out of the SW aand temps around -6C at 2300m (treeline).  

Avalanche Summary

Some sluffing in steep terrain especially in places where the new snow is overlying the previous sun crust. 

Snowpack Summary

10cm fell overnight bringing recent storm snow totals up to 25cm in the alpine. With little winds over the past two days windslab development has been minimal. The new snow sluffs easily where overlying the crust that developed last week on solar aspects and is slowly settling on the polar aspects. Thin weak areas are still places that we are avoiding for fear of awakening the deep basal layers. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid convexities, steep unsupported terrain and rocky outcroppings.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of a deep persistent slab.
  • Avoid areas with a thin or variable snowpack.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Some buried wind slabs exist in the alpine. 

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

The deep persistent layer is still a concern, especially in shallow snowpack areas. A large cornice trigger could also be enough to weak up this layer.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

1.5 - 3.5

Valid until: Mar 25th, 2020 4:00PM