Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 19th, 2020 4:07PM

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

Parks Canada Adam Greenberg, Parks Canada

Email

The big player is the sun right now. Solar input will weaken surface snow and cornices. The odd isolated windslab likely exists in the alpine.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Friday: Sun and cloud, with freezing level rising to 1800m. Light west winds

Saturday: Cloudy with sunny periods. freezing level 1700m. Keght west winds with the occasional stronger gust.

Sunday: Mix of sun and cloud with southwest winds increasing through the day

Snowpack Summary

5cm of recent snow distributed by L NE winds overlies a thick MFcr on solar aspects. North Faces are generally wind affected from previous strong northwest through northeast winds. The midpack is strong and well settled, though basal weaknesses exist in thinner snowpack areas.

Avalanche Summary

Several natural size 1- 1.5 thin slab and dry loose avalanches were observed on steep slopes as the sun came out on Thursday, and ran surprisingly far on a melt freeze crust.

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Strong spring sun paired with rising freezing levels will produce loose avalanches. Start the day early and be mindful of what is above you.

  • Avoid slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if they have large cornices overhead.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Mar 22nd, 2020 4:00PM