Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 11th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs, Loose Wet and Cornices.
Adam Greenberg,
Another spike in temperatures will destabilize the snowpack this weekend. Start your day early, minimize overhead hazard, and end before the surface crust breaks down.
The next bulletin will be issued Thursday, March 18.
Summary
Weather Forecast
We will experience rapid warming this weekend, with freezing levels rising to 2600m on Saturday, and 3000m on Sunday. Paired with sunny skies this will rapidly destabilize the snowpack, but temperatures should dip to near valley bottom overnight offering limited recovery. Winds will generally be light from the southwest.
Snowpack Summary
A crust exists on the surface to ridgetop on solar aspects and at low elevations breaking down during the day. This tops 30-50cm dense snow above of the Feb 14 facet layer which is above hard surfaces in most places. The remainder of the midpack is made up of dense facets and decomposing crusts, with early season ice crusts forming the base.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches observed this week, but we expect that to change as freezing levels rise again through the weekend.
Confidence
The weather pattern is stable
Problems
Persistent Slabs
This problem is most prevalent at and below treeline where it exists as a prominent facet layer down 30-70. Rapidly rising temperatures will likely trigger natural avalanches on this layer with potential for wide propagation.
- Be aware of the potential for wide propagations which could result in large avalanches.
- Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
The sun is packing a punch these days, and surface snow will quickly destabilize on steep solar aspects when it comes out.
- Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
Aspects: South East, South, South West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Cornices have grown quite large. It's hard to predict when one might fall, but rising temperatures and strong sunshine will make it much more likely.
- Avoid travel on slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 14th, 2021 5:00PM
