Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 30th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Loose Wet.
wlewis,
Avalanche Canada
Evaluate surface conditions throughout the day.
As the surface crust breaks down and snow becomes wet, avalanches become more likely. Brief periods of strong sunshine and rising temperatures can quickly increase danger.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy with moderate westerly winds. Isolated flurries possible. Freezing levels drop to 1000 m overnight.
THURSDAY: A mix of sun and cloud, light to moderate westerly winds. Scattered afternoon flurries. Freezing levels peak at 1600 m, alpine highs of 0.
FRIDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with light southwest winds. Freezing levels reach 1800 m. Alpine highs of +3.
SATURDAY: A mix of sun and cloud. Flurries bring up to 4 cm. Freezing levels reach 1700 m. Alpine high of +1.
Avalanche Summary
On Tuesday, recent natural avalanche activity was observed on all aspects to size 3. A size 2 wet slab avalanche was rider triggered on a south facing treeline slope, failing on the crust buried in early March. Explosives also produced large slab avalanches to size 3.
On Monday, several natural wet avalanches were triggered to size 2, including a cornice fall that triggered a slab avalanche on the slope below.
Temperatures are forecast to gradually fall over the next few days, and avalanche activity is expected to decrease.
Snowpack Summary
The upper snowpack is going through a daily melt-freeze cycle. A crust exists on all aspects to around 2500 m. Warm temperatures and sun may soften or break down the crust during the day and creating moist snow. At very low elevations, the snowpack may be wet and isothermal, depending on overnight freezing levels.
At 40 to 70 cm below the snow surface, a sun crust exists on solar aspects, and weak surface hoar crystals sit on shaded aspects. This layer was buried in early March. Reports suggest this layer is now bonding well from the recent warmer temperatures.
The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well bonded.
Terrain and Travel
- When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
- As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
- Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Problems
Loose Wet
Warm temperatures and sun throughout the day may quickly soften and weaken surface snow.
Pay close attention to how thick and supportive the surface crust is throughout the day. Minimize your exposure to slopes with wet and heavy snow.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 31st, 2022 4:00PM
