Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 23rd, 2020 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
mconlan,
Avalanche Canada
There is uncertainty in the forecast due to a lack of data available at this time.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain. Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.
Weather Forecast
MONDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with flurries, accumulation 2 to 5 cm, moderate to strong southwest wind, alpine temperature -8 C.
TUESDAY: Cloudy with flurries, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, moderate southwest wind, alpine temperature -8 C, freezing level 1100 m.
WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with flurries, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, light southwest wind, alpine temperature -7 C, freezing level 1100 m.
THURSDAY: Clear skies, light southwest wind, alpine temperature -6 C, freezing level 1500 m.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were observed from limited reports on Monday. Looking forward, wind slab activity may increase as new snowfall and wind forms fresh slabs.
Snowpack Summary
Snowfall and southwest wind are forecast for the coming days, which will form wind slabs in exposed terrain. Expect the slabs to be thickest and most reactive in lee terrain features adjacent to ridge lines. The slabs will sit on a melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes or previously wind-affected snow, so these slabs may take some time to bond to the snowpack.
A layer of faceted grains overly a melt-freeze crust from early February. This layer currently sits 30 to 60 cm below the surface. This layer remains dormant and has not produced a reported avalanche for about a week.
The base of the snowpack may contain a weak layer of faceted grains that are most prominent in shallow rocky start zones with a snowpack depth of 150 cm or less.
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs will form as new snow falls with strong southwest wind. Apply added caution in exposed terrain, particularly in lee slopes near ridges.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 24th, 2020 5:00PM
