Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 25th, 2020 1:00PM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada ghelgeson, Avalanche Canada

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Lack of field data limits our confidence in this forecast. Fresh wind slabs may begin to form Thursday Night into Friday assuming the forecast storm stays on track.

Summary

Confidence

Low - Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack. Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Strong west/northwest wind, freezing level at valley bottom, trace of snow possible.

THURSDAY: Scattered cloud cover, moderate wind generally out of the north, freezing level at valley bottom, no significant snowfall expected during the day, potential for 2 to 4 cm Thursday night.

FRIDAY: Overcast, moderate wind generally out of the north, freezing level at valley bottom, trace of snow possible during the day with potential for 3 to 6 cm Friday night.

SATURDAY: Broken cloud cover, light variable wind, freezing level at valley bottom, 2 to 4 cm of snow possible.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported over the past couple of days, 

Looking forward, avalanche problems will likely remain limited to small wind slabs in the lee of exposed features.

Snowpack Summary

A few cm of snow this week adds to the 10 cm that fell toward the end of last weekend. Moderate to strong wind has been out of the north, northeast, and now southwest. As a result, small new wind slabs have developed on a variety of aspects. This new snow likely sits on a variety hard surfaces which may include old wind affected snow or melt freeze crust left as a remnant of last week's warm weather. The lower snowpack is well settled with little concern at this time. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
  • Sheltered slopes at lower elevations will offer the best riding.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Recent light snowfall and shifting winds have likely formed new wind slabs on a variety of aspects. These are likely thin but may be most reactive where they sit on a crust. Additionally, expect to see the recent new snow sluff from steep terrain when the sun is out.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Mar 27th, 2020 5:00PM