Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 12th, 2021 8:00AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
Mike Smallwood,
The surface snow may still become moist today. Use caution where there is potential for entrainment of moist snow
Summary
Weather Forecast
A ridge of high pressure building from the SW will keep the park dry for the next few days but the freezing level will rise each day peaking on Sunday
Friday: light SW wind, high of -3, freezing level 1700m
Saturday: light S wind, high of +1, freezing level 2200m
Saturday: light S wind gusting 45, high -1, freezing level 2400m
Snowpack Summary
Another dusting overnight Thursday brings the total to 25cm in the last few days and 50cm since Saturday. A breakable suncrust can be found down 15cm in open areas and a second crust down 25cm on all aspects to treeline, higher on solar aspects.
Avalanche Summary
Several skier triggered sz 1 windslabs have been reported from N to E lee slopes Wednesday and Thursday. In the western Selkirks a skier was fully buried in a sz 2 windslab they triggered on Thursday but were rescued with no injuries. In the Purcells a natural size 2 failed on a NE aspect at treeline.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Isolated wind slabs can be found in lee areas in the alpine. The heat of the sun may make slabs more reactive and increase the size of an avalanche where moist snow can be entrained
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
- Use extra caution on solar slopes, or if the snow is moist or wet.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 13th, 2021 8:00AM
