Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 13th, 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.
JMackenzie,
Avalanche Canada
Avalanche hazard on solar aspects will increase to CONSIDERABLE or higher with the intense solar radiation. Start your trip early and finish early. Avoid exposure to solar aspects and cornices after mid-morning. Sheltered polar aspects still have dry snow.
Summary
Confidence
High -
Weather Forecast
Sunday will be a mix of sun and cloud with moderate to strong SW winds. Overnight temperatures near -9 will climb quickly to around +3 at treeline by late morning. Freezing levels could reach as high as 2700 to 3000m.
Avalanche Summary
Several loose wet up to size 1.5 were observed, mainly on steeper solar aspects.
One large naturally triggered size 3 slab avalanche was observed on a SE aspect in the Alpine. This slab exhibited wide propagation, was approximately 60cm deep and occurred after only a couple of hours of sun shining directly on it.
Snowpack Summary
The snowpack continues its transition to Spring. Moist snow on Saturday up to at least 2600m on solar aspects, and likely higher. This will turn into a crust by morning, but will quickly melt again by late morning on Sunday. Expect loose wet avalanches on solar aspects and sensitive cornices when they exposed to sun/heat. On non-solar aspects there are still some buried wind slabs in the upper 60 to 80cm of the snowpack that are worth investigating before committing to bigger terrain.
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 14th, 2021 3:00PM
