Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 18th, 2021–Mar 19th, 2021

Alpine

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Glacier.

Fortitude and West Rogers Winter Restricted Areas will be closed today. Please respect all closures, the Winter Permit System requires 100% compliance!

Weather Forecast

The dominating ridge of high-pressure will succumb a cold front today, as a low-pressure system pushes onshore from the Pacific. This means we can expect a mix of sun and could during the day with precipitation starting tonight. The freezing level will peak today at 2200m, winds will be light from the south, but will gust strong.

Snowpack Summary

Spring melt-freeze conditions exist at lower elevations, and into the alpine on solar asp. The snowpack has even turned isothermal in the afternoon at lower elevations, on solar aspects. On Polar aspects at and above TL the surface snow remains dry, with a strong mid, and lower-snowpack. The March crusts and spotty unreactive SH is buried ~30cm.

Avalanche Summary

On Monday there were numerous avalanches up to size 3 in steep, rocky, solar facing terrain at lower elevations. There has been a decrease in activity over the last few days, with cooler overnight temperatures refreezing the snow surface; however, there has still been a few isolated avalanches that occurred later in the afternoon on solar aspects.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Loose Wet

This week we have observed several large avalanches in steep, rocky, S-SW facing terrain. While these avalanches were primarily loose wet in nature, some slabs, and even glide slabs were witnessed.

Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

Aspects: South, South West, West.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Cornices

Warm spring temperatures have caused many cornices to fail this week. While most cornice falls have not pulled slabs beneath them, the sheer volume of the cornice itself, produced large destructive avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 3