Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 25th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Cornices.
shorton,
Avalanche Canada
Watch for wind slabs and cornices in steep alpine terrain, and be careful on sunny slopes when the surface is moist or wet.
Summary
Confidence
High -
Weather Forecast
THURSDAY NIGHT: Clear skies, 30 km/h northwest wind, treeline temperatures drop to -8 C.
FRIDAY: Sunny in the morning then increasing cloud in the afternoon, 30-40 km/h west wind, treeline temperatures around -5 C.
SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, 30 km/h southwest wind, freezing level climbing to 1800 m, treeline temperatures around -2 C.
SUNDAY: Scattered flurries with 5-15 cm of snow, 40-50 km/h southwest wind, freezing level climbing to 1800 m, treeline temperatures around -2 C.
Avalanche Summary
Recent avalanche activity has primarily been small (size 1-1.5) wind slab avalanches, dry loose sluffs, and cornice falls. These have occured on a range of aspects, and will continue to be possible on slopes that have recently been wind loaded.
Snowpack Summary
The surface consists of 15-25 cm of low density snow on shady sheltered slopes, with sun exposed slopes have a surface crust. Gusty westerly winds have formed some isolated wind slabs in lee features. A total of 20-40 cm of recent snow is settling above a widespread crust from the mid-March warm spell, and perhaps some small surface hoar on isolated north-facing slopes. Deeper layers are strong and have been unreactive over the past few weeks.
Terrain and Travel
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect and exposure to wind.
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
- Minimize your exposure time below cornices.
- Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Steady wind from the southwest and northwest has likely left some unstable slabs on steep alpine slopes.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Where cornices exist they pose a threat both from the potential to collapse under your feet (or machine) and from the potential to send large chunks of snow far down a slope.
Aspects: North, North East, East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 26th, 2021 4:00PM
