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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 19th, 2021–Mar 20th, 2021
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Glacier.

Ongoing snowfall and wind into the weekend will continue to build on the windslab problem in the alpine.

The snowpack remains isothermal at lower elevations, avoid steep open terrain until a solid surface crust develops.

Weather Forecast

Flurries through the weekend as the unstable NW flow persists over BC.

Today: Mostly cloudy. Alpine High -5 C. Ridge wind light (gusting strong) SW. Freezing level (Fzl) 1600m.

Tonight: Flurries (10-15cm). Low -8 C. Moderate SW wind. Fzl 900m.

Saturday: Flurries (3-5cm). High -7 C. Mod W wind. Fzl 1300m.

Sunday: Flurries (5-10cm). High -9 C.

Snowpack Summary

Warm temps and rain overnight have kept the snowpack isothermal at lower elevations. Above the rain line, 5cm of new snow is covering a melt-freeze crust into the alpine on solar asp, and surface hoar on dry settled snow on polar aspects. Strong alpine winds have likely blown the new snow into pockets of windslab in the alpine.

Avalanche Summary

A couple of loose wet snow avalanches, and one notable size 3 avalanche (in the Park One avalanche path) were triggered in the highway corridor by last nights warm temps and rain. Activity is expected to tapper with cooling temps today.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Watch for pockets of windslab in lee terrain.  These will increase in size with ongoing flurries and wind through the weekend.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

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.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Below Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

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