Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 20th, 2021 4:00PM

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

Tereza Turecka,

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With cooling trend and small amounts of precipitation in the forecast we are facing generally safe avalanche conditions.Be mindful of the potential for low probability high consequence scenario.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Sunday: Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries. Accumulation: 4 cm. Alpine temperature: High -6 °C. Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 30 km/h. Freezing level: 1600 metres.Monday: Flurries. Accumulation: 8 cm. Alpine temperature: Low -9 °C, High -8 °C. Ridge wind light to 20 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 10cm of new snow creating thin slabs in ALP lees. Warm temps and high solar input have created sun crust on solar aspects TL and below. Snowpack becoming isothermal 1700m and below on all aspects. Generally strong mid-pack with exception in shallow areas.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity observed or reported today, however, there have been reports of sporadic large avalanches in isolated ALP features in the last couple weeks. These slides are believed to be triggered by large cornice failures and ran in heavily wind loaded features with wide propagation. Beware of low probability, high consequence scenario

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

More activity noted at this layer, mostly initiated by large loads (cornices) in steep terrain.

  • Watch for moist surface snow over crust on steeper solar aspects.
  • Consider that avalanches may run further than expected as they entrain this loose surface snow.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices

Cornices can be extremely destructive alone or, may initiate deeper layers in the snowpack below.

  • Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger persistent slabs.
  • Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Valid until: Mar 21st, 2021 4:00PM

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