Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 26th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Cornices, Loose Wet and Wind Slabs.
TRettie,
Avalanche Canada
Think about warming and solar input as you move through terrain. The likelihood of cornice falls and wet loose avalanches could increase throughout the day.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the fact that cornice falls are particularly difficult to forecast.
Weather Forecast
Saturday night: Light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow with light south winds. Low of -2 at 900 m.Â
Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud with the possibility of light flurries in the morning bringing trace amounts of new snow. Light variable winds. Freezing levels rising to 1400 m.
Monday: Sunny with no new snow expected and light west winds. Freezing level rising to 1400 m.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with no new snow expected. Light to moderate south winds and freezing levels rising to 1400 m.
Avalanche Summary
On Friday explosive control triggered several small avalanches as well as one size two cornice, it did not trigger a slab on the slope below. Wet loose avalanches up to size 1.5 were observed in steep terrain at lower elevations and on solar aspects throughout the region.
Snowpack Summary
Variable wind effect in exposed treeline and alpine terrain. Below 1500 m, recent snow tapers in depth and sits over a wet or crusty upper snowpack. Moist snow will likely be observed at lower elevations and solar aspects as the freezing level rises and the sun comes out.
A weak layer of surface hoar from mid March buried 70-120 cm deep can still be found but is considered dormant at this time.
Terrain and Travel
- Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
- As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
- Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.
Problems
Cornices
Limit exposure to cornices. Cornice falls can trigger large avalanches on the slopes below. The likelihood of natural cornice falls could increase with solar input and warming.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Wet loose avalanches will likely occur in steep terrain on solar aspects and lower elevation terrain. The size and sensitivity to triggering could increase throughout the day.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs can still be found in exposed treeline and alpine terrain. Sensitivity to triggering wind slabs could be greater where wind slab has formed over a crust.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 27th, 2022 4:00PM
