Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 22nd, 2020 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Loose Wet and Deep Persistent Slabs.
Deryl Kelly,
Parks Canada
Expect freshly formed wind slabs in the alpine and open tree line features.
Summary
Weather Forecast
A Pacific low was tracking North to South from Panhandle pulling a broad ridge behind. This will being generally unsettled weather with some accumulation (up to 8cm) overnight and over the day Monday with moderate to strong afternoon winds and rising freezing levels to 1400m.
More detailed forecast at: Mountain weather forecast
Snowpack Summary
Forecasted snow (up to 5-8cm overnight Sunday) over a supportive melt freeze crust exists on all Solar aspects to Alpine elevation. Scoured from previous winds. Old hard slabs exists in the alpine and open tree line. More confidence in the southern snowpack. Cornices remain an overhead hazard,
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches observed or reported.
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Monday
Problems
Wind Slabs
As the snow falls, it will be sitting on a variety of surfaces, from Melt freeze crusts to Scoured wind hammered and sastrugi. The bond will depend on the temperatures during the storm.
- Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline. Recent storm snow has formed wind slabs.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.
Aspects: North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Strong possiblity of rain overnight and into the morning at lower elevation areas below 2000m
- If triggered the loose wet sluffs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Use extra caution on solar slopes, or if the snow is moist or wet.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
This problem will require a large trigger, thin spots, increased loading or rapid day time warming.
- Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to weak layers at the base of the snowpack.
- Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 23rd, 2020 4:00PM
