Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 26th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Loose Wet, Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
zryan,
Avalanche Canada
Warm air, sun, and rain may destabilize the snowpack at lower elevations and on sun-exposed slopes, with new wind slabs potentially forming up high.
Adjust your travel plans accordingly to the changing conditions of elevation and time of day.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
SATURDAY NIGHT: Mainly cloudy. 15-35km/h southwest winds. Freezing level around 1000 m.
SUNDAY: Cloudy with light precipitation, 5 cm of new snow accumulation at higher elevations. 20-45 km/h southwest winds. Freezing level rising to 2500 m.
MONDAY: Cloudy with precipitation, 5 cm of new snow accumulation at higher elevations. 15-40 km/h northwest winds. Freezing level around 2000 m.
TUESDAY: Mainly clear. 10-30 km/h southwest winds. Freezing level rising to 2200 m.
Avalanche Summary
Several small (size 1-1.5) skier-triggered wind slabs occurred on Friday in the north of the region.
Widespread wet loose and wet slab avalanche activity was observed last week during the warm spell. Several large (size 2-3) cornice failures were also observed.
Several large (size 2-3) persistent slab avalanches occurred during the warm-up on Wednesday and Thursday. These slabs were 70 to 150 cm deep and occurred on all aspects from 2100-2300 m.
Snowpack Summary
5 to 15 cm of recent snow and southwest winds may have formed small wind slabs in lee terrain features in the alpine. A refrozen crust can be found below the new snow on all aspects to at least 2300m. This crust is expected to break down throughout the day at low elevations with rain and warm temperatures. Below the crust, the top 10-30 cm of the snowpack is moist. At very low elevations, the snowpack may become wet and isothermal.
A weak layer may be found around 50 to 100 cm deep. The layer consists of surface hoar crystals in treeline terrain on northerly aspects or weak faceted grains above a hard melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes (i.e., east, south, west). It has been reactive between 1800 and 2300 m but given the recent rain, it is most likely to be triggered between 2000 and 2300 m. It should still be treated as suspect if you find it in your riding area.
The remainder of the snowpack is well-bonded.
Terrain and Travel
- When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
- Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
- The more the snowpack warms-up and weakens, the more conservative you`ll want to be with your terrain selection.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
- A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
- If triggered loose wet avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
Problems
Loose Wet
Warm temperatures, strong solar radiation, or rain may cause the surface crust to break down. Pay attention to how thick and supportive the crust is, and avoid steep slopes when the crust starts to weaken and become unsupportive to your weight.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
A weak layer may be found around 50 to 100 cm deep. The layer is most likely to be triggered between 2000 and 2300 m, on all aspects. The likelihood of triggering this layer is decreasing, but the consequence of doing so would be high.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs may exist in steep, lee terrain features in the high alpine.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 27th, 2022 4:00PM
