Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 16th, 2020 5:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
MBender,
Avalanche Canada
A stable weather pattern is forecast for the next few days. Minimize exposure to steep slopes facing the sun during the hottest part of the day.
Summary
Confidence
High - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.
Weather Forecast
MONDAY Night: Mainly clear, light northwest wind, alpine temperature -8 C.
TUESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light northwest wind, alpine temperature -2 C, freezing level 1800 m.
WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light northwest wind, alpine temperature -4 C, freezing level 1500 m.
THURSDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light northwest wind, alpine temperature -3 C, freezing level 1600 m.
Avalanche Summary
Recent reports show several natural wind slab avalanches ranging in size from 1.5 to 2.5 running in the alpine on east, southeast and north aspects at treeline and in the alpine. There was also two reporst of a natural size 2 and 3 persistent slab avalanches running on the late February surface hoar layer. These were on west and southwest aspects between 1700 m and 2200 m and were 50-100 cm deep.Â
Snowpack Summary
Recent northeast wind has redistributed the snow and formed wind slabs in exposed terrain. The recent snow that fell last week may sit on a surface hoar layer and a sun crust on steep solar aspects.
A widespread weak layer of surface hoar is buried 60-120 cm deep. On solar aspects, this layer may sit over a crust. There is a low likelihood of triggering an avalanche on this layer, but the consequences of doing so would be high. Read more about surface hoar on our forecaster blog.
Terrain and Travel
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of buried surface hoar.
- Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.
- Cornices become weak with daytime heating.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent new snow combined with moderate northeast wind have formed wind slabs in the alpine and exposed treeline.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
A weak layer of surface hoar is buried 60-120 cm deep and is still sensitive to triggering in specific areas. Although this problem can be found on all aspects and elevations, north to east aspects near treeline have been a hot-spot for reactivity.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 17th, 2020 5:00PM
