Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 27th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Loose Wet and Wind Slabs.
Mark Herbison,
New snow / rain, a high freezing level, little to no overnight crust recovery and winds will keep the hazard elevated. Expect wet avalanches at lower elevations.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Monday will see cloudy skies with flurries, 5-10cm of snow at higher elevations and rain at lower elevations as the freezing level will linger around 2200m. Winds will be 15-25km/hr from the South West. A ridge of high pressure arrives on Tuesday bringing sunny skies and a slight drop in temperatures.
Snowpack Summary
10-15cm of new snow above 1900m. A buried crust exists up to 2200m on all aspects (which is likely rain saturated) and extends into the alpine on solar aspects. Pockets of wind slab in the alpine and into tree line. The March 11th crust is buried 40-70cm. Cold, dry powder snow can be found on sheltered aspects at higher elevations.
Avalanche Summary
Several wet avalanches size 1.5-2.5 released on Saturday during the rain and warming event.
On Thursday Park One Minor (low elevation path on the West end of the park) filled the creek, jumped the bank and buried both lanes of the TCH a meter deep by 20m wide.
Glide cracks are on the move, show them respect during the rain and warm temps.
Confidence
Problems
Loose Wet
The warm temps and rain will weaken the snowpack up to tree line elevation. Glide cracks are on the move and will have a higher likelihood of releasing once lubricated by the rain.
- Avoid terrain traps, such as gullies, where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.
- Use extra caution on slopes if the snow is moist or wet.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
New snow, moderate South West winds and mild temps are the perfect combination for forming fresh wind slabs in the alpine. Expect to find reactive slabs if you are pushing into higher elevations.
- Use caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.
- Avoid freshly wind loaded features.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 28th, 2022 4:00PM
