Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 21st, 2020 4:00PM

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

Parks Canada Darren vonk, Parks Canada

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Expect freshly formed wind slabs in the alpine and open tree line features. Don't let the fresh snow entice you into getting into bigger terrain. The Medical and emergency services are stretched thin.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Sun: Mostly cloudy sky's 4cm snow accompanied by gusty 50km/h winds out of the SW

Mon: SNOW! 15cm High -6 Gusty winds continue to 40km/h out of the SW

Tues: An additional 7cm of snow. HIgh -10 With light winds.

More detailed forecast at: Mountain weather forecast

Snowpack Summary

A supportive Melt freeze crust now 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

2 Sz 1.5 Wet slab avalanches observed that hit the highway (93s) last night due to solar warming.

Confidence

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

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing 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. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.
  • Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline. Recent storm snow has formed wind slabs.

Aspects: North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

This problem will require a large trigger, thin spots, increased loading or rapid day time warming.

  • Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.
  • Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to weak layers at the base of the snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3.5

Valid until: Mar 22nd, 2020 4:00PM

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