Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 27th, 2020 5:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada MBender, Avalanche Canada

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Lack of field data limits our confidence in this forecast. New snow combined with southwest wind Thursday into Friday has developed fresh wind slabs. This is the last forecast for the season.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY Night: Cloudy with isolated flurries, moderate northwest wind, alpine high around -20 C.

SATURDAY: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries, light to moderate west wind, alpine high around -15 C.

SUNDAY: Mainly cloudy, light to moderate northeast wind, alpine high around -14 C.

MONDAY: Mainly cloudy with sunny periods, light to moderate northeast wind, alpine high around -18 C.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported

Looking forward, avalanche problems will likely remain limited to small wind slabs in the lee of exposed features.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 10 cm of new snow fell Thursday night with moderate southwest winds, forming new wind slabs in lee terrain. This new snow adds to the equivalent amount from last week and likely sits on a variety hard surfaces which may include old wind affected snow or melt freeze crust. The lower snowpack is well settled with little concern at this time. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

New snow combined with southwest winds have developed fresh wind slabs in the lee of terrain features. Expect the wind to switch to north and east as the weekend progresses. As a result, wind slabs may be found on a variety of aspects on Sunday and Monday.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 30th, 2020 5:00PM