Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 15th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Cornices and Loose Wet.
mconlan,
Avalanche Canada
A warming trend will weaken cornices and snow on sun-exposed slopes during the heat of the day. Wind slabs may linger at high elevations.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
MONDAY NIGHT: Clear skies, 10 km/h west wind, alpine temperature -7 C.
TUESDAY: Partly cloudy, 10 to 20 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -5 C, freezing level rising to 1400 m.
WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, 10 to 30 km/h southeast wind, alpine temperature -4 C.
THURSDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 10 to 20 cm, 40 to 60 km/h south wind, alpine temperature -3 C.
Avalanche Summary
Storm slabs and wind slabs were triggered by explosives and riders on Monday, with crowns 10 to 30 cm thick. Looking forward, wind slabs could still be triggered by riders on Tuesday. Sun-exposed slopes and cornices will weaken during daytime warming, increasing the likelihood of cornice failures and wet loose avalanche activity.
Snowpack Summary
Wind slabs may linger in steep, lee terrain features at treeline and alpine elevations from Sunday's 15 to 20 cm of snow with extreme southeast wind. Expect to find a hard melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes and below around 1400 m, which will moisten with daytime warming and particularly if sunny skies prevail. Along ridgelines, cornices are large and will weaken with daytime warming.
Terrain and Travel
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
- Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
- Extra caution is needed around cornices under the current conditions.
- A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Riders could still trigger wind slabs from recent snow and extreme southeast wind. Use particular caution in steep terrain features on the leeward side of ridgelines.
Aspects: North, North East, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Cornices are large and looming along many ridgelines. A warming trend and sunny skies will weaken cornices, increasing the likelihood of them releasing naturally or from the weight of a person.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Wet loose avalanche activity is most likely at higher elevations, as the recent snow moistens from daytime warming. Use caution on steep sun-exposed slopes during the heat of the day.
Aspects: South East, South, South West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 16th, 2021 4:00PM
