Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 18th, 2020 8:15AM

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

Parks Canada catherine brown, Parks Canada

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Glacier.

Rogers Pass Discovery Centre will be closed starting tomorrow until further notice.  Today is the last day daily winter permits will be issued.  The winter permit system will remain in effect.

Summary

Weather Forecast

We are still sitting under a ridge of high pressure.  Expect a sunny day with some clouds, alpine temperatures will reach -5.  Freezing level is forecast at 1500 m today.  Slopes facing the sun will feel warm this afternoon, especially if winds are calm.  Winds will be light to 20 km/h.

Snowpack Summary

Cold nights and warm days have built a crust on slopes facing the sun. Expect this crust to break down with daytime warming. Open slopes at upper elevations are very wind effected from the strong NE winds Fri-Saturday. The Feb 22 PWL is down 90-130cm and consists of 3-7mm surface hoar on all aspects up to 2450m as well as a crust on solar aspects

Avalanche Summary

Several small-large (up to size 2.5) loose snow avalanches occurred on solar aspects on Monday.

A large (size 2.5) persistent slab avalanche occurred naturally overnight Saturday in the Observatory path (N aspect at Treeline in the Abbott winter prohibited area), this avalanche initiated as a windslab and stepped down to the Feb. 22nd PWL- see MIN.

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable

Problems

Loose Dry

An icon showing Loose Dry

The snow on slopes facing the sun will become moist this afternoon.  Use caution on steep terrain and around terrain traps.

  • Use extra caution on slopes if the surface snow is moist.
  • Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

Aspects: South, South West, West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

This layer has become mostly dormant, but skier triggering may still be possible in shallower snowpack areas.

  • Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.
  • Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 3.5

Valid until: Mar 19th, 2020 8:00AM

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