Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 28th, 2022 3:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Loose Wet.

Avalanche Canada dboucher, Avalanche Canada

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Purcells.

Despite a decent overnight refreeze, solars aspects slopes will soften quickly with intense sunshine and warming temperatures. Be particularly cautious on and under steep slopes when they are baking in the sun.

Summary

Confidence

High - We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast

Weather Forecast

A ridge of high pressure will build in for Tuesday, bringing a sunny and dry day with freezing levels up to 2000 to 2500 metres. 

MONDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with clear periods and isolated flurries. Trace of precipitation. 20-30 km/h northwesterly winds. Low alpine temperature -5 C with freezing level at valley bottom.

TUESDAY: A mix of sun and cloud. No precipitation. 10-20 km/h northerly winds. High alpine temperature +2 C with freezing level around 2000 m.

WEDNESDAY: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. 2-3 cm. 20-40 km/h southwesterly winds. High alpine temperature -2 C with freezing level at 1800 m.

THURSDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. 1-3 cm. 20-25 km/h westerly winds. High alpine temperature -5 C with freezing level at 1500 m.

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday, several natural and triggered loose wet avalanches up to size 2 have been observed on all aspects. A few persistent slab avalanches size 2 triggered with explosives were reported on southerly aspects.

Snowpack Summary

Recent snow and moderate wind have formed small pockets of windslab in the alpine. Refrozen crust on all aspects as high as 2300 m, softening in the afternoon at all elevations, and on steep, sunny slopes. Recent warm temperatures, sun, and rain have made the top 5-15 cm of the snowpack moist. At very low elevations, the snowpack may be wet and isothermal, depending on overnight freezing levels. 

30 to 75 cm below the snow surface, you'll find a frozen sun crust on solar aspects. This layer was buried in early March and produced several avalanches last week. The recent warm weather seems to have helped this layer heal. 

The lower snowpack is generally strong and well bonded.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
  • 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 sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Freezing levels are falling overnight, but the surface snow will soften quickly with the sun and warming temperatures. Paying close attention to how thick and supportive the surface crust is throughout the day will help you avoid wet loose avalanche problem. Also, be cautious on and under steep alpine slopes when they are baking in the sun.

Aspects: South East, South, South West, West, North West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 29th, 2022 3:00PM

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