Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 28th, 2023 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada mbender, Avalanche Canada

Email

The sun will be out and the freezing level is forecast to be higher than it has been in the past few days. As a result there may be an increase in wet loose avalanche activity on steep terrain facing the sun.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

There was rider triggered size 2 avalanche reported on Saturday in the Hasler area. Check out the MIN report here.

Snowpack Summary

Recent moderate winds from the northeast may redistributed recent new snow and develop small, isolated wind slabs directly lee of ridges. These new wind slabs sit over a crust on solar aspects and on high north-facing terrain possibly over facets and/or surface hoar.

The middle of the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.

A weak layer of large facets is found near the base of the snowpack. This layer could still be a concern in very shallow snowpack areas.

 

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Mainly clear. Light northeast wind. High of -8 °C at treeline. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud. Light northeast wind. High of -2 °C at treeline. Freezing level at 1600m.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with sunny breaks. Light to moderate northeast wind. High of 0 °C at treeline. Freezing level at 1800m.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with scattered flurries. Light southwest wind. High of -1 °C at treeline. Freezing level 1700m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

The sun may be out for extended periods so expect to see an increase in thin loose wet avalanche activity on steep terrain facing the sun.

Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

A weak layer of facets exists near the base of the snowpack. The likelihood of human triggering is low given the layer's depth, but large triggers such as cornice failures or smaller avalanches in motion have the potential to produce very large avalanches with surprisingly wide propagation. Suspect terrain for human triggering includes steep, shallow, and rocky terrain where the snowpack transitions from thin to thick.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2.5 - 3.5

Valid until: Mar 29th, 2023 4:00PM