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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 26th, 2022–Mar 27th, 2022

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

South Rockies.

Warm temperature and sunshine will destabilize the snowpack throughout the day, especially on steep slopes that are baking in the sun. Timing, thoughtful terrain choices and conservative decision-making are essential for safe travel in the backcountry.

Confidence

Moderate - We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast Uncertainty is due to the fact that cornice falls are particularly difficult to forecast.

Weather Forecast

A frontal wave draped across southern B.C. will keep the southeast regions mostly dry for Sunday.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Clear with cloudy periods. No precipitation. 20-25 km/h westerly winds. Low alpine temperature -3 C with freezing level around 2000 m. 

SUNDAY: Sunny with cloudy periods. No precipitation. 15-20 km/h southwesterly winds. High alpine temperature +8 C with freezing level around 2800 m.

MONDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with isolated showers. Trace of precipitation. 20-30 km/h southwesterly winds. High alpine temperature +7 C with freezing level around 2500 m.

TUESDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. 3-5 cm. 15-20 km/h southerly winds. High alpine temperature +3 C with freezing level around 1800 m.

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, a few small loose wet avalanches were reported during the warmest part of the day.

Remember that a lack of reported avalanches does not necessarily mean that there is a lack of avalanche activity. If you are out in the backcountry, and have photos, conditions updates, or even just good vibes to share, consider making a post on the Mountain Information Network. 

Snowpack Summary

Possible cold, dry snow and thin windslabs on shady slopes in the alpine. Refrozen crust on all aspects into the low alpine, softening in the afternoon at low elevations, and on steep, sunny slopes. Recent warm temperatures, sun, and rain have made the top 10-40 cm of the snowpack moist. 

Below 1700 m, the snowpack has been reported as being moist top to bottom, and becoming isothermal.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
  • As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
  • Avoid steep slopes when air temperatures are warm, or solar radiation is strong.
  • Cornices become weak with daytime heating or solar exposure.

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.