Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 17th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Loose Wet.
wlewis,
Avalanche Canada
Watch for changing snow surface conditions throughout the day.
Wet avalanche activity is most likely on steep sun affected slopes, especially at lower elevations as temperatures rise over the day.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
No avalanches have been reported in the last few days.
We expect warm temperatures and sunny skies could create conditions for loose wet avalanches, particularly on steep, sun-exposed slopes.
Snowpack Summary
Around 20 to 30 cm of recent storm snow is settling and bonding to the snowpack. Deeper deposits may be found in north facing terrain features near ridges due to strong southwest winds. With a rising freezing level and sunny skies, expect the surface snow on sun-affected slopes and low elevations to be moist, which may freeze into a hard melt-freeze crust overnight. A dry snow surface should remain on shaded aspects at higher elevations.
The middle and lower snowpack are consolidated and strong, containing numerous thick and hard melt-freeze crusts.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy with moderate southerly winds. Freezing levels remain around 1200 m overnight.
Saturday
Mostly clear skies. Freezing levels reach 1500 m. Moderate southerly winds. Alpine high temperature -3 °C.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with strong southeasterly winds. 5 cm of snow expected. Freezing levels drop to 1000 m over the day.
Monday
Cloudy with light to moderate southwesterly winds. Freezing levels around 800 m. Light snowfall continues.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
- Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Problems
Loose Wet
Rising freezing levels and sunny periods will create moist surface snow at low elevations and on sun affected slopes. Wet and slushy snow indicates surface snow is losing cohesion.
Avoid steep sun-exposed slopes during the heat of the day, especially around rocks where warming will be amplified. Cornices may also weaken with daytime warming.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 18th, 2023 4:00PM
