Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 29th, 2019 4:34PM

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

kdevine, Avalanche Canada

South Rockies.

Warm and sunny weather may produce loose snow avalanches, especially on southerly aspects if solar radiation is strong. The danger is rated for the warmest part of the day.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY NIGHT - Mainly clear / light northwest wind / alpine low temperature near -2 SATURDAY - A mix of sun and cloud / light northwest wind / alpine high temperature near +2 / freezing level 2300 mSUNDAY - Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries or rain showers / light southerly winds / alpine high temperature near -1 / freezing level 2000 mMONDAY - Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries, up to 5 cm / light southeast winds / alpine high temperature near -1 / freezing level 1700 m

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, there were reports of a few loose wet avalanches up to size 1.5 out of steep, sun-exposed terrain.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack on sun exposed slopes in the alpine and all aspects at treeline and below is becoming moist or wet, during the heat of the day. In these areas that have entered spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day. Check out this guide to managing avalanche hazard during spring conditions HERE.In areas that remained more sheltered from the heat, like northerly aspects in the alpine, there is still a dry snowpack with a well settled slab sitting on weak facets (sugary snow).Lower down in the snowpack, the base is composed of weak facets.

Problems

Loose Wet

Sunshine and air temperatures above 0 C can rapidly increase the likelihood of triggering loose wet avalanches.

Cornices become weak with daytime heating, travel early on exposed slopes.Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if the snow is moist or wet.Avoid terrain traps such as cliffs and gullies that increase the consequence of small avalanches.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

Human triggering of large deep persistent slab avalanches remains possible; especially in rocky, alpine terrain with a shallow or highly variable snowpack depth.

Avoid steep, rocky terrain in the alpine where there is a shallow or highly variable snowpack depthAvoid re-grouping in rocky areas with a shallow snowpack.Pay attention to changing conditions with elevation and/or aspect.

Aspects: North, North East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Mar 30th, 2019 2:00PM