Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 30th, 2022 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada wlewis, Avalanche Canada

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Evaluate surface conditions throughout the day. 

As the surface crust breaks down and snow becomes wet, avalanches become more likely. Brief periods of strong sunshine and rising temperatures can quickly increase danger. 

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the timing or intensity of solar radiation and its effect on the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Up to 5 cm overnight. Freezing levels drop to 1000 m. Partly cloudy. 

THURSDAY: A mix of sun and cloud, light to moderate westerly winds. Light flurries continue. Freezing levels reach 1700 m, alpine highs of +1.

FRIDAY: Sunny with afternoon cloud, light southwest winds. Freezing levels reach 1800 m. Alpine highs of +4. 

SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy with light westerly winds. Light snowfall, around 5-10 cm over the day. Freezing levels reach 1700 m. Alpine highs of +1. 

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday, natural wet avalanches were reported on steep sun affected slopes to size 1. Wet avalanche activity is expected to decrease as temperatures cool and freezing levels lower this week. 

Snowpack Summary

The upper snowpack is going through a daily melt-freeze cycle. A crust exists on all aspects to around 2300 m, and into the alpine on solar aspects. Warm temperatures and sun are softening or breaking down the crust during the day and creating moist snow. At very low elevations, the snowpack may be wet and isothermal, depending on overnight freezing levels. 

The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well bonded.

Terrain and Travel

  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
  • As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
  • Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
  • Cornices become weak with daytime heating or solar exposure.

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Warm temperatures and sun throughout the day may quickly soften and weaken surface snow. 

Pay close attention to how thick and supportive the surface crust is throughout the day. Minimize your exposure to slopes with wet and heavy snow. 

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 31st, 2022 4:00PM

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