Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 25th, 2021 8:00AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
Mike Smallwood,
Watch for changing conditions that could increase the hazard on Thursday. Unexpected flurries or sun on the slope are things to watch out for
Summary
Weather Forecast
A departing low is giving way to air moving in from the northwest bringing cool, unsettled weather.
Thursday: A trace of snow, high of -6 and light NW wind, freezing level 1600m
Friday: 5cm, high -5, strong W wind and freezing level 1500m
Saturday: A trace of snow, high of -5, strong SW wind, freezing level 1600m
Snowpack Summary
40cm of snow has fallen this week over the March 18th sun crust and surface hoar. Below this is a strong mid pack of rounds at treeline and above. The below treeline snowpack has has experienced several melt freeze cycles.
Avalanche Summary
Several natural avalanches were observed yesterday in the highway corridor and Connaught Creek to size 2.0, slabs and loose wet. A deep size 3.0 slab was reported from nearby failing on the ground. Windslabs are reactive to skiers and cornices are large and fragile and should be given a wide berth
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Strong winds have created a wind slab problem in exposed areas at treeline and above. These slabs are 15-40cm thick and are reactive to human triggers. Extra caution is required where terrain features contribute to cross loading
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
The March 18th persistent weak layer is buried approximately 50cm as a suncrust and in shaded, sheltered areas at treeline as surface hoar. This layer is most reactive in areas where wind loading has increased slab cohesion
- Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 26th, 2021 8:00AM
