Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 26th, 2019 4:53PM

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

mbender, Avalanche Canada

South Rockies.

The avalanche danger is currently trending with the appearance of the sun and afternoon warming. The danger is rated for the warmest part of the day.

Summary

Confidence

High - The weather pattern is stable

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY Night: Mainly cloudyÂ / light west windÂ / alpine temperature -5 C / freezing level 1000 m WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / moderate east wind / alpine temperature -3 C / freezing level 1600 mTHURSDAY: Mix of sun and cloudÂ / light east windÂ / alpine temperature -2 C / freezing level 1700 mFRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / light to moderateÂ north wind / alpine temperature -1 C / freezing level 1900 m

Avalanche Summary

There are no reports of avalanche activity in the past few days.

Snowpack Summary

The prolonged warm spell has transitioned sun exposed slopes in the alpine and all aspects at treeline and below toward becoming moist or wet throughout. In these areas that have entered spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day. Check out this guide to managing avalanche hazard during spring conditions HERE.In areas that remained more sheltered from the heat, like northerly aspects in the alpine, there may still be a dry snowpack with a well settled slab sitting on weak facets (sugary snow).Lower down in the snowpack, the base is composed of weak facets.

Problems

Loose Wet

Sunshine and air temperatures above 0 C can rapidly increase the likelihood of triggering loose wet avalanches.

Avoid terrain traps such as cliffs and gullies that increase the consequence of small avalanches.Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if the snow is moist or wet.Cornices become weak with daytime heating, travel early on exposed slopes.

Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

Human triggering of large deep persistent slab avalanches remains possible; especially in rocky, alpine terrain with a shallow or highly variable snowpack depth.

Pay attention to changing conditions with elevation and/or aspect.Avoid re-grouping in rocky areas with a shallow snowpack.Avoid steep, rocky terrain in the alpine where there is a shallow or highly variable snowpack depth

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Mar 27th, 2019 2:00PM