Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 30th, 2021 3:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Wet.
JMackenzie,
Avalanche Canada
Human-triggerable wind slabs in the Alpine. Conservative route selection is in order. The late March sun is intense and will raise avalanche hazard levels on solar aspects quickly. Start early and finish early.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
Wednesday will be a mix of sun and cloud with temperatures climbing to -2 and freezing levels near 2200m. When the sun is out, it will feel intense! Winds will be light to moderate from the west.
Avalanche Summary
Further evidence of a natural avalanche cycle up to size 2.5 primarily on SE, E and NE aspects. So far these have all been wind slabs, with only very minor and small loose dry avalanches observed.
Snowpack Summary
The recent storm snow of up to 30cm remains dry on northerly aspects, but was moist on the solar side by midday. By morning expect snow on SE through W aspects to have a surface crust. At treeline and below the recent snow is bonding well, but in the Alpine there is a different story. Wind slabs are evident on all aspects except west. The natural avalanche cycle is tapering off, but loaded slopes in the Alpine are primed for human-triggering.
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet
- Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain.
- Avoid steep convex slopes.
- Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
- Cornices become weak with daytime heating or solar exposure.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs were touchy in the Alpine today, but not as much of an issue at lower elevations. These new slabs will take several days to improve.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
When the solar radiation is strong and the air temperatures rise, loose wet avalanches will start to run. Avoid these terrain features after mid-morning.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 31st, 2021 3:00PM
