Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 27th, 2020–Mar 28th, 2020

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Lizard-Flathead.

Steady winds continue to redistribute loose snow, the trend will continue as flurries accumulate.

Confidence

Low - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Weather Forecast

Friday night: Cloudy with isolated flurries. Alpine low temperature -5 C. Moderate west-southwest wind. Freezing level 1400 m.

Saturday: Cloudy with scattered flurries, trace to 10 cm. Alpine high temperature -2 C. Moderate southwest wind. Freezing level 1600 m.

Sunday: Flurries and snow, 10-15 cm. Alpine high temperature -1 C. Moderate southwest wind gusting to strong. Freezing level rising to 1900 m.

Monday: Flurries and snow, 10-15 cm. Alpine high temperature -5 C. Moderate southwest wind gusting to strong. Freezing level 1500 m and dropping.

Avalanche Summary

We have very limited field observations at this time. There have be no new avalanches reported in the region.

Snowpack Summary

Around 20 cm recent snow has been redistributed by wind. A sun crust developed on steep solar slopes and below treeline. Around treeline and above, this recent snow overlies another melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes and previously wind-affected snow in other areas.

A layer of faceted grains overly a melt-freeze crust from early February. This layer currently sits 30 to 60 cm below the surface. This layer remains dormant and has not produced a reported avalanche for about a week.

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

Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Flurries beginning to accumulate around the region will be impacted by steady winds. New flurries and loose snow will be redistributed and build new slabs on leeward slopes, particularly near ridgetop.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2