Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 14th, 2021 3:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Loose Wet, Wind Slabs and Cornices.
Mikey,
Avalanche Canada
Solar radiation is still a concern on cloudy days. Expect the hazard to deteriorate with daytime heating. Best skiing can be found on Northern aspects.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
Monday morning will start out with a temperature of around -8c and warm up to 0c in the alpine. Expect mostly cloudy skies with light flurries starting around noon. The freezing level is expected to climb to 2200m along with moderate SW winds.
Avalanche Summary
Many loose wet avalanches up to size 2 were observed on solar aspects.
On Saturday, one large naturally triggered size 3 slab avalanche was observed on a SE aspect in the Alpine. This slab exhibited wide propagation, was approximately 60cm deep and occurred after only a couple of hours of sun shining directly on it.
Snowpack Summary
The snowpack continues its transition to Spring. Sunday was the warmest day of the Spring so far with barely freezing temperatures Saturday night. This caused many wet loose avalanches on solar aspects on Sunday. If Sunday night is clear, expect a crust on solar aspects on Monday and if it is cloudy, then the solar aspects might not have refrozen. In either case, solar radiation will play a factor in deteriorating the conditions, even on cloudy days.
On non-solar aspects there are still some buried wind slabs in the upper 60 to 80cm of the snowpack that are worth investigating before committing to bigger terrain. Be alert on the changing snow conditions under your skis.
Terrain and Travel
- Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
- Cornices become weak with daytime heating.
- Avoid rock outcroppings, convexities, and anywhere the snowpack is thin and/or variable.
Problems
Loose Wet
Intense solar radiation at this time of year can quickly elevate avalanche activity on solar aspects. Solar radiation is still a concern on cloudy days, especially without an overnight freeze. Time your exposure to these slopes to avoid the heat of the day.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
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
Expected Size
Cornices
This is a good time to respect those monstrous cornices.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 15th, 2021 3:00PM
