Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 31st, 2018 3:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Wet.

Avalanche Canada mgrist, Avalanche Canada

Brief periods of sunshine could destabilize the surface snow on Sunday morning. Be alert for lingering wind slabs up in the alpine in the north of the region.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Sunday

Weather Forecast

There may be sunny breaks on Sunday morning before some convective flurries in the afternoon, with brief periods of intense precipitation. Temperatures are staying cool for this time of year. SUNDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with convective flurries in the afternoon (3-5cm possible) / Light to moderate south west wind / Alpine temperature -6 / Freezing level decreasing to 500m in the afternoonMONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light to moderate west wind / Alpine temperature -5 / Freezing level 700m TUESDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods / Light west wind / Alpine temperature -5 / Freezing level 800m.

Avalanche Summary

A few wet loose natural avalanches to size 1 were reported on sunny aspects on Saturday. We'd expect the same on Sunday with warming temperatures and direct sun.

Snowpack Summary

At tree line and below, we're into a spring cycle with a good re-freeze overnight (supportive crust) followed by daytime warming to +6 and wet surface snow. New snow amounts over the past three days (1-8cm) have been absorbed into the spring snowpack cycle. Alpine areas around Squamish likely received about 60-100 cm of storm snow and more wind early last week. In these areas the more recent snow is possibly sitting on a mixture of weak grains including a crust on solar aspects and potentially facets/surface hoar on polar aspects. Below the storm snow the snowpack is generally well settled and strong.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Wind slabs may linger at higher elevations, and could be destabilized by periods of direct sunshine over the long weekend.
Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet
The sun really packs a punch this time of year - that's no April Fool's joke! Limit your exposure to sunny slopes if the sun comes out in full force.
Pay attention to hazards like cornices when traveling on or below ridges.Watch for clues, like sluffing off cliffs and pinwheeling, that the snowpack is warming up.Avoid exposure to sunny slopes.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 1st, 2018 2:00PM

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