Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 19th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Loose Wet, Persistent Slabs and Cornices.
Tereza Turecka,
With cooling trend and small amounts of precipitation in the forecast we are facing generally safe avalanche conditions.Be mindful of the potential for low probability high consequence scenario.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Saturday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Accumulation: 4 cm. Alpine: High -6 °C. Ridge wind west: 20 km/h gusting to 55 km/h. Freezing level: 1400 metres.Sunday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Precipitation: Trace. Alpine: High -9 °C. Ridge wind southwest: 15 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 5cm of new snow becoming moist on solar aspects and creating thin slabs in ALP lees. Warm temps and high solar input have created sun crust on solar aspects TL and below. Snowpack becoming isothermal 1700m and below on all aspects. Generally strong mid-pack with exception in shallow areas.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche activity observed or reported today, however, there have been reports of sporadic large avalanches in isolated ALP features in the last couple weeks. These slides are believed to be triggered by large cornice failures and ran in heavily wind loaded features with wide propagation. Beware of low probability, high consequence scenario
Confidence
Problems
Loose Wet
Varied sensitivity on solar aspects, likelihood increases on the steepest slopes. It may be possible to trigger deeper instabilities once initiated.
- If triggered the wind slabs 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: Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
More activity noted at this layer, mostly initiated by large loads (cornices) in steep terrain.
- Consider that avalanches may run further than expected as they entrain this loose surface snow.
- Watch for moist surface snow over crust on steeper solar aspects.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Cornices can be extremely destructive alone or, may initiate deeper layers in the snowpack below.
- Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.
- Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger persistent slabs.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 20th, 2021 4:00PM
