Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 19th, 2020 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Loose Wet.
ahanna,
Avalanche Canada
Low hazard doesn't mean no hazard. Watch for solar warming on south aspects in the heat of the day and small, isolated pockets of wind slab in steep alpine terrain.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
Thursday night: Clear. Light variable wind. Freezing level valley bottom.
Friday: Clear. Light to moderate northwest wind. Freezing level 1700 m.
Saturday: Clear. Light southwest wind. Freezing level 2000 m.
Sunday: Mix of sun and cloud. Light to moderate southwest wind. Freezing level 1800 m.
Avalanche Summary
On Wednesday, a few small loose wet avalanches and wind slabs were observed on sun-exposed slopes. They released during the heat of the day, as the snowpack was baking in the sun.
On Monday, a large avalanche was remotely triggered near Fernie, as described in this MIN. The avalanche released on the faceted grains above the melt-freeze crust described in the Snowpack Summary.
If you decide to travel in the backcountry, consider sharing your observations with us and fellow recreationists via the Mountain Information Network (MIN) to supplement our data stream as operators are shutting down. Even just a photo of what the day looked like would be helpful.
Snowpack Summary
Sunny skies have formed a melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes. The alpine consists of wind affected snow from easterly wind, so you may find small pockets of wind slabs in atypical terrain features on south to west aspects.
A layer of faceted grains overly a melt-freeze crust from early February. This layer currently sits 30 to 60 cm below the surface and has been the culprit of recent avalanche activity near Fernie.
The middle of the snowpack is generally strong, but the base of the snowpack may contain a weak layer of faceted grains that are most prominent in shallow rocky start zones with a snowpack depth of 150 cm or less.
Terrain and Travel
- Rocks will heat up with daytime warming and may become trigger points for loose wet avalanches
- Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
Problems
Loose Wet
Modest air temperature and sunny skies combine to weaken the snow surface. As this occurs, loose wet avalanche activity may result. The highest likelihood of this occurring is during the heat of the day on sun-exposed slopes. Note that the same warming trend also weakens cornices, so best to stay well back from them on ridges and avoid travelling beneath them.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 20th, 2020 5:00PM
