Keep an eye on the snow surface, as it gets moist from warming the size and likelihood of wet loose avalanches will increase.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - The snowpack structure is generally well understood.
Weather Forecast
Monday night: No new snow expected. Light southwest winds with the possibility of a mild temperature inversion, 0 at 1500 m.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with light flurries in the evening bringing up to 5 cm of new snow. South winds increasing throughout the day to strong in the evening. Freezing levels rising to 1500 m.
Wednesday: Stormy with 5 to 10 cm of new snow expected. Moderate southwest winds. Freezing level around 1100 m.
Thursday: cloudy with flurries bringing up to 5 cm of snow with light southwest winds. Freezing level around 1200 m.
Avalanche Summary
On Sunday explosive control in the north of the region produced a size three persistent slab avalanche on a west aspect at 1800 m. Also in the north a size four natural persistent slab avalanche was observed on a south aspect at 2000 m.
Wet loose and natural cornice falls continue to be observed throughout the region.
Snowpack Summary
Wind slab could still be found on north and east facing terrain in the alpine. A crust can be found at or near the surface on all aspects and elevations except high north terrain. Moist snow will likely be observed at lower elevations.
A weak layer of surface hoar from mid March buried 70-120 cm deep can still be found but is considered dormant in the Terrace area. In the far north of the region it continues to produce large avalanches.
Terrain and Travel
- As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
- Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
Problems
Loose Wet
Wet loose avalanches could occur on all aspects and elevations except high north terrain. Size and sensitivity to triggering could increase throughout the day.
Glide slab avalanches up to size two have been observed in the region at lower elevations. Be aware of the potential for this type of avalanche on steep terrain at lower elevations.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Limit exposure to cornices. Cornice falls can trigger large avalanches on the slopes below. The likelihood of natural cornice falls could increase with solar input and warming.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 29th, 2022 4:00PM
