Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 27th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs and Loose Wet.
AL,
Avalanche Canada
The increased hazard rating reflects the possibility of loose wet avalanches activity due to solar heating Tuesday. Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
A skier trigger avalanche was reported on Mt Field Saturday. The recent storm has been causing loose dry avalanches in steep terrain. Solar inputs Tuesday will likely affect this storm snow, causing loose dry avalanches.
Snowpack Summary
5-20 cm of storm snow sits over buried temperature crusts to 1500 m, sun crusts to ridgetop on solar aspects, and facets on shaded slopes. The midpack in this area has several crust and facet layers that have been unreactive recently. The base of the snowpack still consists of weaker facets. These facets are mostly a concern in thinner snowpack areas (<2 m).
Weather Summary
A ridge of high pressure will bring clear skies to the region. Overnight alpine temps for Monday and Tuesday will be near -20 with daytime highs climbing to 0 at 2000m. Winds will remain Light to Moderate. Though temps will be cold overnight, strong solar inputs throughout the day will likely cause the upper snowpack to deteriorate.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.
- Cornices become weak with daytime heating or solar exposure.
- Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
Problems
Deep Persistent Slabs
Continue to pay attention to the weaker basal facet layer in areas where the snowpack is shallower (<2 m) such as moraines or wind scoured areas, or in places where a large trigger like a cornice fall could impact the slope. In deeper snowpack areas of this region the basal facets are less of a concern.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Strong solar inputs and upto 20cm of recent storm snow will likely produce loose wet avalanches on Southerly aspects. Pinwheeling and melting snow near rock are good indicators that the snowpack is being affected by solar radiation.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 28th, 2023 4:00PM
