Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 27th, 2023 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Wet.

Avalanche Canada zryan, Avalanche Canada

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Tune in to the changing conditions of elevation, aspect, and time of day.

Be cautious in wind-affected terrain and avoid steep sun-exposed slopes and overhead hazard during periods of strong sun.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Small (size 1) wet loose avalanches have been observed throughout the week during periods of strong solar radiation.

On Sunday, a rockfall triggered a large (size 2.5) wet loose avalanche on a southwest aspect in the alpine. A natural cornice failure was observed but it did not pull a slab on the slope below.

Snowpack Summary

Cool, clear weather has promoted surface faceting and surface hoar growth. A crust exist on the surface on all aspects below 1800 m and steep south facing slopes.

At treeline and below, a weak layer of rounding surface hoar is found 20-50 cm down in sheltered terrain. No recent reactivity has been observed on this interface.

The lower snowpack is well consolidated and strong.

Weather Summary

Monday night

Clear. Alpine temperatures drop to a low of -2 °C. Ridge wind northeast 10-25 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Tuesday

Sunny. Alpine temperatures reach a high of 3 °C. Ridge wind 10-30 km/h from the northeast. Freezing level rises to 2300 metres.

Wednesday

Sunny with cloudy periods. Alpine temperatures reach a high of 4 °C. Ridge wind light from the north. Freezing level rises to 1500 metres.

Thursday

Sunny. Alpine temperatures reach a high of 0 °C. Ridge wind 10-40 km/h from the southwest. Freezing level rises to 1100 metres.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
  • As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Easterly wind may have redistributed the surface snow into fresh pockets of wind slab in the alpine.

Aspects: North, South, South West, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Warm temperatures and strong sun may create wet loose avalanche on steep sun exposed slopes.

Keep in mind, that wet loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.

Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 28th, 2023 4:00PM