Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 9th, 2021 4:00PM

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

Aaron Beardmore,

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Conditions are improving. It is the time of year to start early and finish early. Avoid exposure to slopes with large triggers such as cornices. 

Summary

Weather Forecast

Cool seasonal temps, cloud cover and about 3cm of snow are expected Wednesday. Winds will drop to light by late morning Wednesday. Benign weather with little in the way of warming is expected Thursday and Friday.

Snowpack Summary

Since Friday, up to 30 cm of recent snow sits over solar crusts and wind effect in open areas. New solar crusts on low elevation steep slopes formed on Tuesday. 2 persistent facet layers (Feb 19 & Jan 27) are down 30-80cm and still producing sudden shears in some locations. In thin areas the basal depth hoar/crust from Nov is still quite prominent.

Avalanche Summary

Sunshine Patrol reported observing a size 2 persistent slab on Fatigue mountain on a North facing hanging slope under a cornice. Otherwise no avalanches were observed or reported.

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable on Wednesday

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

The Jan 27 and Feb 19 layers are becoming less reactive. Last weeks warm up combined with the recent cooling have likely helped this. Slopes that receive big triggers like cornices are the most likely place to see avalanche activity on these layers.

  • Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could trigger the persistent slabs.

Aspects: North, North East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Valid until: Mar 10th, 2021 4:00PM