Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 22nd, 2020 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
astclair,
Avalanche Canada
New snow drifted by wind may form reactive slabs at upper elevations. Anticipate changing conditions and monitor the depth, cohesiveness, and bond of the new snow to the old snow surface.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
Sunday night: Cloudy, 5-10 cm of snow, light to moderate southwest wind, alpine temperature -7 C, freezing level 500 m.
Monday: Mostly cloudy, 5-10 cm of snow, light southwest wind, alpine temperature -5 C, freezing level 1300 m.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, scattered flurries with up to 5 cm of snow, light variable wind, alpine temperature -9 C, freezing level 400 m.
Wednesday: Mix of sun and cloud, isolated flurries with trace accumulations, light southwest wind, alpine temperature -12 C, freezing level 900 m.
Avalanche Summary
Over the past week, avalanche activity was reported as natural loose wet and dry avalanches (up to size 2) running on steep, sun exposed slopes. There were also reports of cornices failing in the alpine on northerly aspects (up to size 2.5).
There are currently no professional operations reporting in the region. If you decide to travel in the backcountry, consider sharing your observations via the Mountain Information Network (MIN) to supplement our data stream. A conservative mindset and margins are recommended at this time.
Snowpack Summary
5-15 cm of new snow is forecast to accumulate by Monday afternoon. Moderate southwest winds may build wind slabs primed for human triggering on lee features at upper elevations.
The new snow is falling on a variety of snow surfaces, consisting of sun crusts, hard wind-affected snow, and soft faceted snow. There are limited observations in the region, but neighboring regions have reported surface hoar forming on sheltered, shady slopes. It will be important to track the depth, cohesiveness, and bond of the new snow to these various old snow surfaces across aspects and elevations where you are travelling.
Cornices are large and looming. A weak layer of surface hoar buried at the end of February may be found 50-100 cm deep, except in the northern tip of the region. Avalanche activity on this layer was last reported March 6th.
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
- Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Up to 15 cm of new snow may accumulate by Monday afternoon in favored areas. Wind slab avalanches may increase in their sensitivity to human-triggering where moderate southwest winds load the new snow into slabs on lee features.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 23rd, 2020 5:00PM
