Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 29th, 2021 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs, Loose Dry and Persistent Slabs.

Deryl Kelly,

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Back to winter conditions for a short period, freezing levels and temperatures will rise again on Wednesday.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Partly cloudy skies, moderate NW ridgetop winds with freezing levels at valley bottom are forecasted for Tuesday. A few flurries with freezing levels rising to 1700m on Wednesday.

Snowpack Summary

Varied snowfall through the region. Up to 20cm settled HN in the Icefields Area. This new snow overlies previous surfaces such as hard windslab and variable crusts at TL/ALP elevations. The snow pack varies throughout the region from strong supportive snow in deeper areas to weak facetted snow in the shallow areas.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous loose dry avalanches from extreme terrain, west aspect, sz. 2-2.5 in the Weeping Wall / Mount Wilson Area.

Several windslabs, south to west aspects, sz 2-3 in the Icefields Area.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain on Wednesday

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Recently formed wind slabs can be found in lee features near ridge crests, and in cross-loaded gullies.

  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.
  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially in steep confined alpine terrain.

Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Dry

An icon showing Loose Dry

New snow instability will heal with time, careful in steep and confined terrain

  • Be careful of loose dry power sluffing in steep terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

When in the Whistlers/Portal and Maligne regions identify and to assess the bond at this mid-pack layer.

  • If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Valid until: Mar 30th, 2021 4:00PM