Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 26th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Loose Wet.
shorton,
Avalanche Canada
Avalanche danger will increase over the weekend as snow and wind will progressively form thicker and touchier slabs. Stick to sheltered low angle terrain.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the timing of the incoming weather system. We are confident the likelihood of avalanche will increase with the arrival of the forecast weather.
Weather Forecast
FRIDAY NIGHT: Scattered flurries with 5-15 cm of snow, 50 km/h west wind, treeline temperatures around -5 C.
SATURDAY: Flurries with another 5-15 cm of snow bringing 24 h totals to 15-30 cm, 50-70 km/h southwest wind, freezing level climbing to 1700 m, treeline temperatures reach -3 C.
SUNDAY: Another frontal system delivers 15-25 cm of snow, 40-60 km/h southwest wind, freezing level drops from 1500 m to valley bottom at the end of the storm, treeline temperatures drop from -3 to -6 C.
MONDAY: Mostly sunny, 30 km/h northwest wind, treeline temperatures drop to -12 C.
Avalanche Summary
We have no reports of avalanche activity since Wednesday's storm when there were a few reports of natural and human triggered storm slab avalanches. These slabs have likely stabilized since then, but new storm slabs will be a concern above 1500 m this weekend. Wet loose avalanches will also be possible at below treeline elevations.
Snowpack Summary
A series of storms over the weekend will result in significant accumulations of snow above 1500 m. By Saturday afternoon there will be 15 to 30 cm of fresh snow and strong wind forming touchy slabs. The new snow will bury old stubborn slabs at upper elevations and a crust below treeline. Recent weather patterns have helped old persistent weak layers heal. We were previously concerned about a facet layer from the mid-February cold snap that resulted in few large cornice triggered avalanches in the first half of March (and is now 150 cm deep), but now the important avalanche problems just involve the upper snowpack.
Terrain and Travel
- Travel in alpine terrain is not recommended.
- Use careful route-finding and stick to moderate slope angles with low consequences.
- Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.
- Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind or rain.
- Dial back your terrain choices if you are seeing more than 20 cm of new snow.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Touchy slabs will likely form at elevations above 1500 m on Saturday. Their size and likelihood will increase throughout the day as 15-30 cm of snow is expected with strong southwest wind. Natural avalanches will be likely in the alpine and on steep wind loaded slopes at treeline.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Wet loose avalanches are possible at lower elevations during periods of rain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 27th, 2021 4:00PM
