Avalanche conditions will deteriorate through the day in response to warming and solar radiation. Stay off steep sunny slopes once the snow surface becomes moist.
Summary
Confidence
High -
Weather Forecast
MONDAY NIGHT: Some clouds, but treeline temperatures still dropping to around -6C.
TUESDAY: Dry and sunny. Freezing level rising to about 1900 m. Light westerly wind.
WEDNESDAY: Dry and sunny. Freezing level rising to about 2000 m. Light southwesterly wind.
THURSDAY: Sunny, becoming cloudy through the day. Freezing level rising to about 2100 m. Moderate to strong southerly wind.
Avalanche Summary
On Sunday, loose wet avalanches were observed on steep sunny slopes up to size 2.5.
Snowpack Summary
Dry snow can be found on shaded aspects at upper elevations. On solar aspects and at lower elevations expect crusty snow in the morning and soft, moist snow in the afternoon. Lingering wind slabs and large cornices may still pose a hazard close to alpine ridgelines.
A persistent weak layer of facets 40-60 cm deep that was buried in mid-February was reactive in the north of the region earlier this month but since the first week of March, only a couple of avalanches have been reported on this layer resulting from large triggers such as cornice fall. There are several other weak layers deeper in the snowpack composed of old surface hoar, facets and/or crusts, all of which have been recently unreactive.
Terrain and Travel
- A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
- Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.
Problems
Loose Wet
Slopes that face the sun will become unstable as they warm during the day.
Aspects: South East, South, South West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Where cornices exist they pose a threat both from the potential to collapse under your feet (or machine) and from the potential to send large chunks of snow far down a slope. If anything can trigger the more stubborn persistent weak layers it's a large falling cornice. They are most likely to fail during the heat of the day.
Aspects: North, North East, East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 16th, 2021 4:00PM
