Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 12th, 2021 3:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Loose Wet, Wind Slabs and Cornices.
matt,
Avalanche Canada
Given the rapid softening of the snow with the sun exposure, the aspect and timing game becomes critical. Make sure to avoid solar slopes by mid morning, and seek out those north aspects for the driest snow. The ratings will worsen locally with sun exposure.
Summary
Confidence
High -
Weather Forecast
If you haven't already, find a bottle of sun screen and put a healthy coat on. The sun is strong, and luckily we'll be seeing a lot of it in the next while. Tomorrow will have some cloud, but not enough to keep it cool. The daytime high is +4 with a freezing level of almost 2300m. No snow and light winds will top off the forecast. And remember, SPF 60 as a minimum!
Avalanche Summary
Nothing new today, but observations were limited.
Snowpack Summary
It is sure feeling Springlike out there but there is still a few things happening in the snowpack. On solar aspects, expect to find a crust in the early morning hours and then turn to moist snow later on. The sun has a lot of punch now so choose your route carefully in terms of overhead hazards like cornices and wet loose avalanches on southern aspects. The hazard is likely to go up during the day with the sun and moist snow. In other words, the day would start at Moderate and quickly change to Considerable with warming and solar radiation.
The forecasters found that there is still variability in the top 60cm of the snowpack. We mostly found several buried wind slabs down 15cm and 40cm overlying less dense layers. Good skiing and dry snow will still be found on North and NE aspects.
Terrain and Travel
- Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet
- Cornices become weak with daytime heating.
- Avoid rock outcroppings, convexities, and anywhere the snowpack is thin and/or variable.
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
Problems
Loose Wet
Intense solar radiation at this time of year can quickly elevate avalanche activity on solar aspects. Time your exposure to these slopes to avoid the heat of the day.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs (recently buried) exist in the upper snowpack that feel drummy and cakey in some areas. Be aware of the potential for wide propagations. Take the time to dig down and evaluate the interfaces in each specific terrain feature.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
This weekend will be the warmest we have seen this Spring. This is a good time to respect those monstrous cornices.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 13th, 2021 3:00PM
