Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 23rd, 2019 3:00PM

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

mconlan, Avalanche Canada

Purcells.

Travel conservatively and with a sense of caution, as buried weak layers may persist in the snowpack. You may also find wet snow, which could be touchy.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy, light southeast wind, alpine temperature -1 C, freezing level 2200 m.SUNDAY: Mix of sun and clouds with isolated flurries, accumulation trace to 5 cm, light southeast wind, alpine temperature -2 C, freezing level 2000 m.MONDAY: Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, light southwest wind, alpine temperature -2 C, freezing level 1800 m.TUESDAY: Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, light southwest wind, alpine temperature -3 C, freezing level 1600 m.

Avalanche Summary

Many wet loose avalanches were observed between last Sunday and Friday. They were large (up to size 3), occurred mostly on southeast to southwest aspects, and at all elevations. Many of these avalanches scoured to basal weaknesses. A notable deep persistent slab avalanche released on Wednesday, likely triggered by a cornice fall. It was 100 cm deep on a northeast aspect at 2900 m.The wet avalanche cycle will likely diminish this weekend as cooler and cloudier weather prevails.

Snowpack Summary

A melt-freeze crust is found on the snow surface everywhere except for northerly aspects above 2000 m, where dry snow still prevails. The crust may weaken into moist or wet snow at low elevations or on southerly aspects, depending on daytime warming and cloud cover.Deeper in the snowpack, a weak layer of faceted grains buried 40 to 60 cm may still exist on northerly aspects above 2000 m. The base of the snowpack is composed of weak faceted snow, which may be associated with a melt-freeze crust. Although these layers have been dormant for a while now, there were recent reports of a few sporadic avalanches, suggesting that they could still be triggered.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

A few weak layers still exist within the snowpack. The recent hot weather may have influenced these layers, but time is needed to assess how much they have changed.

Avalanche hazard may have improved, but be mindful that buried instabilities are still present.Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.Best to avoid thin, rocky terrain, where it may be easier to trigger deeper weak layers.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Loose Wet

If the snow feels slushy, there is potential for triggering a loose wet avalanche. This will depend on how warm it gets, if the sun shines, and where isolated rain showers occur.

Reduce your exposure to areas with overhead hazard during periods of rain or strong sun.Use extra caution on slopes if the snow is moist or wet.Avoid exposure to terrain traps, where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 24th, 2019 2:00PM